At the start of the MotoGP 2021 season, many experienced observers already tipped the new Pramac Ducati, who signed Jorge Martin, given the Spaniard’s fast pace in both Moto2 and Moto3.
He lived up to that hype too, taking a podium in his second race and winning later that year – something he admitted to The Race in an exclusive interview was part of his strategy for pre-season success.
In addition to being quick, Martin was also intelligent and surrounded by a talented personal management team led by Albert Valera (who also looks after Jorge Lorenzo and Aleix Espargaro). Martin says that while his success in 2021 was incredible, his early decision to leave KTM and switch to Ducati was something born.
“I had to visit almost all of the factories,” he told The Race, “not the works team, but with works bikes. And finally I decided that my best sporting decision, not the economic one, was Ducati and I went for this one. I am so glad I did.
“Pramac is the right place because at the end of the day we have factory bikes. Maybe not 100% the same parts, maybe the engines go to the factory if they are a little faster, but the frame, the fairings, all the parts are the same. I’m really happy here because the support is amazing. How they urge me from the factory to drive fast and I’m very excited to continue with them next year. “
His connection to the Italian team, which will be under new management in 2022 after the departure of long-term boss Francesco Guidotti to the KTM factory team, is not only in the equipment, but also in the mentality and attitude of both the squad and the team Ducati – a passion Martin says helps him stay motivated.
“You can see that the atmosphere is good,” said the 23-year-old. “A lot is created by the drivers, it depends on them, and I like being like family in the pits because at the end of the day we have to believe in each other and have confidence when things go wrong in order to speak among us.
“Winning and losing together is so important and I think next year this is the place for me to keep learning, staying focused and winning races.
“I think the main difference in factories is where people are from. It depends on whether they are Japanese or Italian or from other places. Everything is different. But it’s nice to work with Italians because they’re so quick; you always have good solutions. Maybe not always well, but quickly, and it’s important to try things out and be prepared for any situation.
“Maybe it’s a little more difficult with the Japanese because they are a little slower, but if something gets going, it’s sure to be good. Things are a bit mixed at KTM. But I think the Italian style is more Spanish, more Mediterranean, more loving and more suited to my personality. It’s better for me.”
The net result of this union is obvious: a hugely successful end to his debut season with a win in Austria, three more podiums (all four from pole position) and the coveted title of Rookie of the Year – results that he admits is him surprised even given his self-confidence last season.
“I didn’t think you could win,” he admitted. “I thought sometimes to fight for a top 6, to be close to the podium, to finish there once at the end of the year – but in the end we only achieved podium and pole position in the second race, then pole and again” Podiums in Austria with a win. It’s incredible. Pramac’s first win in 25 years … I felt like a rock star at this point in the year!
“It was great, I think, from the moment it started. What I can say is that I always gave 100% and we started off really well until I had this big injury that slowed me down a bit. But I have improved a lot with these mistakes and I think it was the best and the worst season of my life. Victory in MotoGP was the best, but the injury was the biggest [worst thing to happen]So mixed feelings, but satisfied with my performance.
“It is difficult to come here, but it is more difficult to maintain this level. I felt this year that the good thing about it was that I was a rookie and I wasn’t under any pressure even when I was close to the top five. My level was a little lower than in Austria, but I was competitive on a lot of tracks at Assen, at Silverstone, so I think we can do a really great job next year. “
While the results in 2021 may have been fantastic, it is worth remembering that it has not been an easy season for him thanks to his major injury sustained during free practice for the first of the two races of the year in Portimao. He broke eight bones in the fall and missed four races (which makes his Rookie of the Year title all the more impressive), admitting that it was a huge setback for his entire season given the severity of his injuries.
“I still struggle with some parts of my body,” he told The Race at the end of the 2021 season. “It’s been pretty tough since Assen, but I’ve tried to deal with the situation, avoid the pain with a lot of painkillers, and do a lot of therapy. I’m improving so I hope it’s okay next year.
“At first I thought Portimao was really bad for me. I didn’t like the track, I didn’t like the place in general because of the injuries, but I came back there, started fourth and made the whole race in fifth.
“Of course I lost a bit in the end,” he said of his redemption there in the second half of the year, when he finished seventh, “but the pace was good throughout the race and now I feel even better ready for that next time. ”year. I’m happy to have ridden there and it’s a good track for me now.
However, with his injury problem after a last operation at the beginning of December to remove various pins and plates that were left over after the first round of reconstructive operations, Martin has his sights set not only on 2022, but also on the implementation of the next step in his master plan for the following year.
“It’s hard to say now,” he admitted about the goals for the coming year, “but if we do a great pre-season, if I understand the bike a little better, if I can concentrate a little more on my style, then we can fight for the top 5. That will be so important to be in the top 5 by the end of the year. When we get there we’ll be close to the top 3 too, so we’re fighting for podiums, for wins, and I hope to be at the top in all races. This is the main thing.
“I’m realistic and the goal is to be on the works team in 2023. That’s for sure. At the end of the day, the drivers who win are in factory teams. I’m happy here, I learn a lot and right now it’s the best team ever, but to get the best performance you have to be in the factory and that’s why my goal is to be there in 2023. “