This was to be expected: the strength of the Ducati clan is so well armed to realize the ambition of wearing one of the two red suits the following season, that healthy theoretical emulation can only turn into fratricidal struggle on the track. A pattern which will not have waited for the first Grand Prix to be glimpsed. It is relevant the day after two days of pre-season testing in Sepang. Between Enea Bastianini and Jorge Martin, we exchange pleasantries…
Enea Bastianini did what it took to position himself in the clan Ducati by showing himself flamboyant on a successful GP21 that he discovered on the track of Sepang. He has also become the new record holder, thus asserting himself as a solid leader not only of the men in Desmosedici but also of the plateau MotoGP. And as at Ducati, we like to say that we reward merit, the Malaysian record of the protégé of Carlo Pernat is not trivial.
Moreover, bastianini announced the color from these preliminaries, after his exploit: “ it’s motivating for me and for the whole team » says the Italian from Gresini. “ We don't have the pressure of a factory team and it's important for me to try to go faster and faster. But my goal remains to become an official pilot ».
Jorge Martin Ducati: “ Bastianini says I'm his target, it seems he's a little obsessed with the subject«
Because bagnaia currently has the advantage in the factory box, it is Jack Miller what is this message for? But also, and perhaps above all, to the one who formulated the same ambition, in this case George Martin. The latter, third in Sepang with a GP22 just starting out, did not deny the approach of “Bestia” to the point of responding clearly: “ Bastianini says I'm his target, it seems he's a little obsessed with the subject. I know the potential I have, I know what I did last year and I know what I can do, I have no problem. I am focused on my work ».
The Spaniard adds: “ Honestly, it's not something that worries me. Obviously he goes fast, he has a bike that works from the start. We already know this and it will not change. It is clear that there will be this pressure. The pressure that Jack Miller is going to have, the pressure that Enea is going to have. But I'm very calm, I don't think my fight will be against Enea right now. I hope the relationship stays the same ».
For his part, the big boss Gigi Dall'Igna, who feels the pressure coming from his compatriot press to push for a duo of Italians in his scarlet box in 2023 commented: “ I think he can finish the world championship in the top 5. We will try to help all the Ducati riders who are fast. What developments will it receive? There is a limit to what we can do for Enea, for example the engine is different so we cannot transfer the developments made here to it, but we can try other developments, we will try to give it everything it deserves ". And the season hasn't started yet...
