Jorge Martín has been fighting a fierce battle on the track, facing off against grip issues and the relentless pace of Marc Márquez. Despite some challenges, Martín managed to secure a strong fourth position, propelling himself into Q2 at the MotorLand Aragón circuit. However, his struggles with the track’s inconsistent grip have raised concerns, as he navigates a surface that seems to play tricks on the riders, offering stability in some areas and treacherous unpredictability in others.
Martín candidly expressed his frustration with the track conditions. “The track was on the edge, and so was I. You have to adapt to how the track evolves during practice, but on my flying lap, I gave it everything. I still feel like I have too much rear grip, which pushes the front end, and on my second attempt, I couldn’t make the most of it because the front was closing in on me. I hope to find something tomorrow to reduce that push and go a bit faster. I’m not far from the front row, but my biggest struggle is mid-corner, where I’m suffering the most.”
Comparing his performance to Márquez, Martín noted a key difference in their riding styles. “It seems like Marc leans a bit more, but it’s not about taking more risks. It depends on the bike’s setup. Sometimes, if your bike is positioned differently, you don’t need to lean as much to make the turn. I imagine he’s got a different configuration, which allows him to lean more, but it’s clear he’s comfortable and fast right from the start.”
The debate over the track’s grip continues, with Martín echoing the sentiments of his fellow riders. “It’s a bit strange. They’ve done a good job overall, but it’s odd that in some corners, like Turn 3, it feels impossible to fall—knock on wood—but in others, like Turn 9, you have to be so careful it feels like you’re going to crash every lap. It’s strange that it varies so much, but that’s the way it is. Overall, though, the grip is quite good.”
Martín has also made strides in braking, a critical aspect of his performance. “I’ve tried different things and felt really strong on the brakes—on par with Pecco and Marc. However, it’s in the middle of the corner where both Pecco and I are losing out to Marc. Still, the day has been positive overall. I’ve made a step forward in my base setup.”
One of Martín’s biggest challenges has been managing the front tire, particularly with the soft compound. “With the medium tire, it’s more manageable, but with the soft, there’s so much grip that it pushes the bike hard, making it difficult to control. The problem is, it wears out quickly. After four or five laps, it’s really tough to ride.”
As the competition heats up, Martín’s determination to overcome these challenges and close the gap with Márquez is palpable. The upcoming races will test his ability to adapt and refine his strategy, but one thing is clear—Jorge Martín is not backing down from this fight.