Jorge Martin, British MotoGP, 4 August 2023 // Gold & Goose / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202308040212 // Usage for editorial use only //
Jorge Martin insisted he was much more confident of a strong result in Sunday’s British Grand Prix following a sub-par run to sixth in the Silverstone sprint race.
The Pramac Ducati pilot made a lightning start from seventh on the grid to lead the field off the start, though with the already lightly damp circuit beginning to dry out he started to slip backwards as the short ten-lap encounter progressed.
He eventually fell outside the top five and took the chequered flag 7.2 seconds adrift of race victor Alex Marquez, the Spaniard citing overly-restrictive engine map and traction control settings as the main reason for his lack of pace in the middling conditions.
Martin affirmed though that he felt a much stronger result was possible in the full-length British GP having ended Friday practice second fastest behind Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro in fully-dry conditions, the same weather situation expected for Sunday afternoon’s event.
“We struggled to understand the situation and the (engine) maps and electronics, I had too much interference and then I couldn’t make up time in the fast corners, so I was losing time there,” explained Martin.
“Overall though the feeling was good, normally in these conditions I struggle with the front but today I was quite confident and could attack, so I’m happy we got this information for the future.
“As the track started to dry I began to get more (rear wheel) spin and the controls were limiting too much (power), I need a more free setting so that I can manage the power myself.
“When Johann (Zarco) overtook me he was doing the exact same lines and pulling away on acceleration, so I think the issue was more with the bike than myself.
“I feel much better in the dry conditions, I hope to achieve the same start in the grand prix as today because I managed to get to first on the opening lap, which was amazing coming from seventh.
“For sure it’ll be more tough (to repeat), but I feel much stronger in terms of pace and confidence for the race.”
Despite his struggles to maintain position in the sprint contest, Martin still managed to make inroads into series leader Francesco Bagnaia’s points advantage after the factory Ducati pilot failed to score on Saturday – Martin narrowing his 35-marker deficit to the Italian to 31 ahead of the British GP.
Keyword: Martin ‘much stronger’ in dry conditions, electronic issues curb sprint progress