In Qatar, Jorge Martin is obviously among the favorites. However, last year – less than six months ago – it was here that he saw the title slip through his fingers, following a disastrous race spoiled by a bad tire. At the top of the ranking this Friday, he says he is confident but not yet perfectly in harmony with his Ducati Desmosedici GP24. Obviously, the weekend is still long, and the first sessions of the year are rarely significant. Regardless of the conditions and the performance of its package, you must be wary of the “Martinator”.
Jorge Martin had a rather successful entry into Qatar, without a doubt. Despite some difficulties, he still finished FP1 in the lead, before being demoted during FP2 contested in the rain. “It's positive, but I have vibrations on my bike. We will have to try to remedy this problem tomorrow.” he confided on GP One. Even if he doesn't know precisely where these problems come from, he has a reason for them and is not worried in the least. “I think it's due to all the new components on the GP24. But the Ducati remains competitive » he continued.
Business as usual at the front for @ 88jorgemartin! 👏
The first tiny psychological advantage goes the way of the Martinator! 👊#QatarGP 🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/aFeTXOaGo5
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) March 8, 2024
His seemingly unshakeable confidence is in no way damaged. “I'm ready to race tomorrow even if the vibrations persist with the used tires. » He, for once, was not the sensation of the day. Indeed, a young Pedro Acosta dazzled the motorcycle world with his talent. The “Martinator” was in the camp of the impressed, without a doubt. “He’s great, already very competitive. It impressed me even more in the wet than in the dry, because it's really not easy in these conditions. Personally, I am not a pilot who likes water, especially for the behavior of the machines but also the reduced visibility. »
Low as ever. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
Was he one of the drivers in favor of delaying Practice by an hour tomorrow instead of FP2, those that Johann Zarco was referring to earlier today? It's impossible to know for the moment, but it's clear that the wet weather didn't seem to benefit him in terms of qualifying directly for Q2.
What do you think ? Tell us in the comments!
P1 MotoGP standings at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix:
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport
