MotoGP Qatar 2 J2, Jorge Martin (Ducati/1): “Now it’s time to be a rookie! »

Obtaining pole position in the premier category in his second participation places the person concerned in the immediate vicinity of Marc Márquez, Jorge Lorenzo and other Casey Stoner…

It is therefore through the front door that the rookie Jorge Martin continues to make his entry into the world of big boys, after having already impressed last week in Qatar with his stratospheric start.

Six days later, the Pramac driver demonstrated that in addition to taming the GP 21 in a straight line, he also knows how to do it in turns, by taking pole position for the Doha Grand Prix by 15 hundredths ahead of his experienced teammate. French.

A great success for the Pramac Racing team, which did not, however, make the pole-sitter lose his head, who kept repeating during the press conference that victory was not on the agenda.

Fast, modest and friendly, the Madrilenian's rating has just made a spectacular jump, whether in the paddock or near Borgo Panigale...

George Martin : " Today my goal was to be in the first three rows. Ninth would even have been OK because after my good start last weekend, I thought my position would be good. Since yesterday I have felt quite confident on the bike although today was a little different because of the wind. We didn't ride in FP3 because we didn't want to make a mistake with the settings. In FP4 it was OK and I felt really good and I thought “OK, I'm ready for qualifying”. Then, the first run of qualifying didn't go bad since I was first. I told my chief mechanic that I thought I could improve by 3/10 but not get pole. On my last lap I was at the limit and I think I did a solid job. I progressed every day and that's why I'm happy. To be on pole in my second MotoGP race is incredible and I want to thank my family for my entire career. My team too because I have been here for a month, and I already feel at home. Its very important.
But today is Saturday, the hard part will be tomorrow. During the last race I learned a lot from the other drivers. I think trying to manage the tire and the point I need to work on and be focused. I think we've done a really good job of progressing in this area, but definitely my goal is not to win! My goal is to learn, try to be concentrated, try to have the same rhythm throughout the race and not make any mistakes. I hope to have another good tire in the middle of the race to fight for a top 6. That would be really good. »

Starting from pole position, the objective may seem modest, but George Martin precise : " Since Moto3, I have always been very quick to attack the time on a lap. Normally I can put 100% of my energy into doing a lap and be very fast. MotoGP is on another level because there are all the best riders in the world here, so to be first is fantastic: I can't believe it, for my second race! But I knew I was fast, and of course I might be able to get a few pole positions during the season, but not today!
Now I think it's time to be a rookie! I have neither the pressure nor even the potential to win! Of course, we progressed in FP4 and I'm maybe 4/10 of all these boys and so it's impossible to think about victory. Anything can happen in the race, but six or seven riders would have to crash for me to win, and that's obviously not what I want. I want to beat them when I'm ready, but it won't be tomorrow. Tomorrow is the time to be a rookie and try to get a good start, because in the end it's free time for me. We should try to manage the tire so that it remains good until the end of the race, and of course I will try to follow them and learn when they are going to overtake me, because for sure they will overtake me . »

Ranking of Qualification 2 of the MotoGP Doha Grand Prix: 

Ranking of Qualification 1 of the MotoGP Doha Grand Prix: 

Credit rankings: MotoGP.com