After Spielberg, Ducati will make the decision between Jorge Martin and Enea Bastianini – Jorge Martin has no idea where the journey is going for him
A duel takes centre stage at this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix. Spielberg will be the decisive race for Enea Bastianini and Jorge Martin. Afterwards Ducati wants to make the decision who will move to the factory team next year. Francesco Bagnaia’s team-mate is to be presented at the home race in Misano at the beginning of September.
Bastianini has won three races this season. The Italian is fourth in the World Championship with 118 points. Martin has been on the podium twice as runner-up. He has collected 81 points and is eleventh in the World Championship. The Spaniard has also had several retirements.
In addition, Martin was struggling with an old injury and also had to have surgery on his right hand. Therefore, Ducati postponed the decision until the end of August to give both riders more time to present themselves.
Last time out at Silverstone, Bastianini came through in the closing stages to snatch fourth place away from Martin. Now Spielberg awaits, where Martin celebrated his first victory in the premier class as a rookie last year.
“I honestly have no idea,” Martin is quoted as saying by ‘AS’. “If I could tell you where I will be next year. But I don’t. Six races ago I had a bit clearer idea, but after everything that happened.”
“I’m trying to fight for the position I want to be in. That’s the Ducati factory team. But I’m racing my championship whether I’m with Pramac or Ducati. In both cases I will have the same material at my disposal. That is important. “
“In terms of image and fighting for the World Championship title, it’s better to be in the factory team. But the material is the same. It wouldn’t affect me too much if I stayed with Pramac,” says Martin.
Because the Pramac team will also get the same Desmosedici as the factory team next year. The Pramac riders also have factory contracts and are paid by Ducati. So the sporting conditions are practically the same.
Martin admits: injuries have changed him
Martin’s season so far has resembled a rollercoaster ride. Recently, his results stabilised. Since second place in Barcelona, he has always been in the top 10. “Normally I am always more competitive in the second half of the season,” he looks ahead.
“If I had finished the races in the positions I had when I crashed, I would be in the top 4 in the championship. So my realistic position is not where I am. I’m catching up though and I think our strengths are still coming.”
Looking back, one sticking point was his heavy crash in Portimao last year when he suffered multiple injuries. Martin missed a total of four races as a result. The hand operation this early summer was also a consequence of that time.
That changed him: “Yes, I am now more afraid of crashes and have more respect for injuries. That’s a change I feel when I ride. I always have a safety cushion. Before, I was maybe a bit crazier. But it has also helped me to think more rationally before I do something. “
