This intervention by Jorge Martin somewhat undermines the idea recently developed by Luca Marini that the pilots' paradise is found at Ducati, the manufacturer which offers a motorcycle capable of offering glory for all. The half-brother of Valentino Rossi has in fact pointed out that each rider of a Desmosedici can shape it by hand, a comfort which in no way influences the otherwise good performances actually displayed on any track. This, provided, however, that you do not have a model with a 2022 engine which complicates things if we judge from the words of the Pramac driver…
To understand this situation, we must return to the first Grand Prix of the season in Qatar where Ducati created a surprise by validating for its official drivers, and therefore for the season, a sort of hybrid engine composed of 2021 and 2022 parts. A sensation because, on paper, it was the Pramac satellite machine which suddenly became of one, the most advanced Desmosedici of the brand in MotoGP. And not the factory one. After eleven Grands Prix contested, we discover with the evaluation of George Martin, that this last minute change of heart was justified.
The 2018 World Champion said: “ I didn't have a good feeling with the 2022 engine that we have been using since day one. And it still gives me problems ". He specifies : " comparisons with the factory team are difficult because the engines are different. At the moment, there are three different Ducatis on the track. When it comes to work, I'm a bit alone with Zarco who is developing this engine. It must be said that we suffered from a major lack of grip, particularly in the first part of the accelerations... This year, we did not have a perfect preseason in terms of engine ».
But what are the problems with the 2022 engine? “ With this engine, we have a lot of difficulty in terms of traction. We try to improve grip, but when we do that we lose in other areas ", Explain Martin. “ If we seek more sensation on the front wheel, we lose grip on the rear wheel. It's very difficult for us to find a good base. Sometimes we go the way of 'Pecco' or Jack. Ultimately, it's a different bike. We are a little alone in this regard », notes the Pramac pilot who ends: “ I hope Ducati understands the situation and can help us. They do their best, but having so many different versions on the ground doesn't make things easy ».
Jorge Martin: “ I hope Ducati understands the situation«
With this light, we understand why Ducati do not rush to designate the next teammate Pecco Bagnaia. Because there are certainly the physical concerns of Jorge Marin which handicap him from delivering his best level. On this level, the Spaniard says: I still have a little to do. The last two races I even ran with stitches. But I will try to recover for the back-to-school Grand Prix at Silverstone ". But there is also a new GP22 which is not so successful that it is in the red box in “degraded mode”.
The decision-makers are aware of this and want to give every chance to a Jorge Marin who they truly believe in. Even in the face of Enea Bastianini who won three of the eleven rounds of this first part of the season but with a GP21 including Pecco Bagnaia himself says: “ the GP21 is ideal for MotoGP beginners. The bike was already very competitive last year. When I did my rookie season in MotoGP in 2019, my bike was not as good as this one », specified the vice-world champion MotoGP 2021.
