Jorge Martin reveals disqualification threat behind bizarre Marc Marquez overtake
Martin's race went from perfect to disaster (Photo: Red Bull Content Pool)
Connor Andrews is Formula 1 and MotoGP writer for GPblog and various outlets. Having worked in motorsport for 15 years for leading companies, he has interviewed the sports biggest names and attended multiple Grands Prix.
Jorge Martin has explained the bizarre end to his Indonesian Sprint Race and the crucial impact it could have on his title ambitions.
The Aprilia rider was the beneficiary of a chaotic start at Mandalika as the front two, Raul Fernandez and Marco Bezzecchi, crashed into each other and out of the race.
Martin swept through from fifth up to first, and then created a huge gap to second-placed Marc Marquez, who was also trailing him in the riders’ championship.
However, with a handful of laps left to go, Martin sat up, and Marquez went past him with ease.
Martin then sped right back up to the back of the Ducati rider, and just as he looked set to regain the lead, he went wide, dropping down the order and ultimately ending fourth.
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Martin reveals tyre-pressure problem behind Marquez overtake
Explaining what had gone wrong in the moment he surrendered the lead, the 2024 champion told DAZN post-race that he was in danger of failing to meet minimum tyre pressure requirements, so he had to slow.
"It was a mistake with the tyre pressure,” he explained.
“Mandalika is one of those tracks where the temperature drops and the humidity rises in the afternoon, and my tyre was getting cold, which was a problem.
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“I tried to push harder to warm it up, but I wasn't able to, and I let Marc pass before attacking again.”
Martin and Bezzecchi's mistakes allowed Marquez to win at a track where he's traditionally struggled (Photo: Monster Media)
Late mistake costs Martin crucial championship points
Adding more on the incident that dropped him down from second to fourth, he continued: "I was already under pressure on the last lap, but I made a mistake and went off. I almost had it in the bag and just had to manage the gap.
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“It's a shame to be out of [tyre] pressure, but that's what I told the team: just as I make mistakes, they make mistakes, and we're here to win and lose together.”
The result of Martin’s dramatic last laps is that Marquez has leapfrogged him in the standings from two points behind to four points ahead.
"Just as I make mistakes, they make mistakes."- Jorge Martin on Aprilia
Martin confident of fighting back in Sunday's Grand Prix
Trying to keep level-headed despite the disappointment, Martin said: "I missed a good opportunity, and who knows what might happen. Things happen as they happen.
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“By getting back, I was able to pick up some points; otherwise I would have been disqualified.”
Looking ahead to Sunday’s race where he’ll again start fifth, one place behind Marquez, Martin finished: “It's six points, and we have speed, so there's another chance to have a good race.
"Let's see if tomorrow everyone also wants to take the lead at the first corner and they go wide and I take the lead again and build a good advantage.
"I'm ready to have a great race. In qualifying, I wasn't able to find the full potential of the other Aprilias in the fast corners, but I feel confident I can fight for a great race tomorrow."
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