MotoGP, Martin admits he shortened the corner to get a better position for the pole attack

by Mattia Fundarò

First the disbelief over a great time in qualifying, then the creeping awareness that 1.58.008 was the result of cornering. In spite of everything, Jorge Martin continues to convince with excellent performances and even this fourth place in qualifying is a positive moment for the Spanish rookie, who will certainly aim for even more in tomorrow’s race.

“I shortened the corner because I wanted to be in a good position. I saw Marquez in front of me and thought that the best position for the last lap would be to get behind him,” said Martin. “I immediately understood that I hadn’t set pole, but I didn’t know what position I was finished in. Fourth place is a good result, I think the pace is good and we can fight for the podium tomorrow. In FP4 I put on tires that drove a lot of laps, so it is normal to be behind in the overall standings, and in any case I showed my pace. To be honest, almost everyone has put on new tires. I’m confident for tomorrow, I feel great with the new tire. “

We saw you laughing and joking with the other drivers, what did you say to each other in Parc Fermé?

“Yes, I had fun in Parc Fermé, as soon as I arrived I said that the pole was not mine and that we had to watch the lap again. I wanted to go back to the pits but they stopped me because I was the best independent driver. I talked to Fabio and Pecco and they laughed and told me that it was not possible to do such a fast lap. In any case, I’m close, a tenth away, I think we’re in good shape. “

After the victory in Styria, you said that you felt tired because of your injuries at the beginning of the season towards the end of the race. What is your physical condition? Do you feel 100% when you consider that this is a very physically demanding route?

“Before the weekend I felt 100%, now I have a bit of a struggle, like in Assen. I’m a little scared because I had to retire there because of a tendinitis in my biceps and I still feel the same. Sure, it’s going better, but I have to work for tomorrow because the race is long and I hope I don’t Will cause problems. I lack a little strength and I have to balance with other muscles.

You were quick in Qatar and at the Red Bull Ring, two different tracks than this one: Do you have more fun driving a track like Spielberg or a track like Silverstone?

“I think it’s nicer, there are more corners, it’s fast and you can use your power optimally, but I think I had more fun in Austria because I was faster. But I also enjoy it here because I’m in the top 4-5 places. Let’s say in the end you enjoy it because of your position in the overall standings “.

Qatar and Spielberg were tracks you went for because you thought you could be fast, but you’re fast here at Silverstone too: do you think this is the result of an improvement you’ve made or is this your true level ?

“I started seventh at the Sachsenring, but was able to fight for the front row. I was very fast in Assen, but had a few problems in FP3. I was almost always fast; I’m getting used to the bike and feeling pretty competitive. I think I just need a little experience for the last race and for that aspect I work with used tires in FP4 to try to understand how the electronics work. Actually, I’m usually fast at Silverstone, I’ve been in the past, I hope that I can be competitive on other tracks too, that would be important for me. Anyway, coming here to Silverstone after the races in Austria and being quick is positive. “

You said you spoke to the other riders at Parc Fermé, but what did the team tell you because they were in disbelief for a few minutes and how do you see tomorrow’s battle for victory?

“We laughed, in the end I was fourth and that’s a good position, they were pretty impressed. It was logical, I had a second advantage and that made it a bit unreal.” However, it was very clear to me that I wasn’t partying because I knew something was wrong. For the win I see Fabio very strong but that’s hard to say because in FP4 they all drove with new tires. I’m competitive on the flying lap and don’t feel bad with used tires, but I can’t fight for victory. There’s Fabio, then I see Pecco, Aleix, Marquez, Miller, we’re going to fight for the podium. Pol will start first, but given the pace, I think he will suffer in the last part. “

Understanding FP4 is difficult every time, Miller explained to us how the Ducati handles the tires. He tried the tough one and rejected it because the first lap was like being on ice. I guess you won’t use it either: the middle hoop Jack says you have to use it without forcing the pace, are you going for tomorrow?

“If we look at FP4, that it drove the same time on lap 5 as I did on lap 22 with the medium tire, it is clear that the hard tire will not be tomorrow’s tire. It is clear to me that the tire to be used tomorrow is the middle one, I have doubts about the front tire, but I mainly worked with the used tire.

Marquez said he saw you very quickly in Austria but would have loved to see you on a different track like Silverstone to get confirmation and see if you could be a candidate for the title in 2022. Are you constantly improving?

“I think so. Marc tried to get behind me at the beginning of training today, I think that was a sign. But you have to ask him how he saw me today after sitting behind me, he thanked me with a nod. I have no problems, I don’t have to stand behind anyone else, today I wanted to follow someone to fight for pole, but even if I go alone I am able to set excellent times. After Austria we all had doubts and wanted to see how things would go here, it’s a different track, there are no difficult braking sections, but I’m always in the top 4-5 and it’s very positive for me, more than any other to get pole. I see from time to time and at the moment everything is going well ”.