1996: World Championship debut at the 125cc Malaysian GP riding an Aprilia in Scuderia AGV. Final Championship position: 9th with 111 points – 1 victory: Czech Republic.
1997: Second youngest ever 125cc Champion riding an Aprilia for the Nastro Azzurro Team. Final Championship position: 1st with 321 points – 11 wins: Malaysia, Spain, Italy, France, Netherlands, Imola, Germany, Brazil, Great Britain, Catalunya and Indonesia.
1998: Moves up to 250cc class riding an Aprilia for the Nastro Azzurro Team. Final Championship position: 2nd with 201 points – 5 wins: Netherlands, Imola, Catalunya, Australia and Argentina.
1999: Becomes the youngest ever 250 World Champion riding for the Aprilia Grand Prix Racing. Final Championship position: 1st with 309 points – 9 wins: Spain, Italy, Catalunya, Great Britain, Germany, Czech Republic, Australia, South Africa and Brazil.
2000: Moves up to the 500cc class riding a Honda for the Nastro Azzuro Team.Final Championship position: 2nd with 209 points – 2 wins: Great Britain and Brazil
2001: Takes the 500cc World Championship riding a Honda for the Nastro Azzuro Team.Final Championship position: 1st with 325 points. – 11 wins: Japan, South Africa, Spain, Catalunya, Great Britain, Czech Republic, Portugal, Pacific, Australia, Malaysia and Brazil.
2002: Wins revised format MotoGP World Championship riding all-new four stroke Honda RC211V for the Repsol Honda Team. Final Championship position: 1st with 355 points -11 wins: Japan, Spain, France, Catalunya, Italy, Netherlands, Great Britain, Germany, Portugal, Brazil and Australia.
2003: Wins his second MotoGP World Championship for the Repsol Honda Team. Final Championship position: 1st with 357 points – 9 wins: Japan, Spain, Italy, Czech Republic, Portugal, Rio, Malaysia, Australia and Valencia.
2004: Moves to Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha and wins the MotoGP World Championship. Championship position: 1st with 279 points after 15 of 16 rounds. 8 wins: South Africa, Italy, Catalunya, Netherlands, Great Britain, Portugal, Malaysia and Australia.
