The 2023 championship runner-up kicked off the 2024 campaign with a triumphant victory in Saturday’s sprint contest.
However, his pole position advantage didn’t translate into a second win in the grand prix. Instead, he fell behind Francesco Bagnaia on the opening lap and settled for third place.
Although Martin hailed the Qatar round as a “great weekend” in terms of results, he admitted that he continues to grapple with issues plaguing the 2024 Ducati since testing.
“We showcased the speed we possess,” he told motogp.com after the grand prix. “I’m confident that when our bike is performing at its peak, we can be unstoppable. However, it’s uncertain when that will happen. Currently, vibrations persist, preventing me from utilizing the rear brake and hindering my riding strengths.”
“Let’s be patient and allow the engineers to work their magic. I’ll do my part, and they’ll do theirs,” he added.
Martin also reflected on his podium finish in the grand prix, acknowledging the challenges he faced after experiencing difficulties during the sprint.
“I’m content with the outcome,” he remarked. “If you had asked me yesterday, standing on the podium today would have seemed improbable. However, we demonstrated the potential to clinch victory.”
Expressing a mix of satisfaction and self-critique, Martin analyzed his performance during the race.
“I’m not entirely pleased. Perhaps I managed my tires too conservatively at the race’s outset, allowing Pecco to overtake me. Subsequently, my front tire pressure increased, altering the dynamics. Nevertheless, the pace was brisk. With two laps remaining, I managed a 1m52.7s lap to distance myself from Marc [Marquez] and almost catch Brad [Binder].”
Looking ahead to the next race in Portimao, Martin remained optimistic despite not fully maximizing the potential of his new bike.
“I’m not operating at 100% with the new bike package, but I believe there’s room for improvement. With enhancements, I can elevate my competitiveness,” he concluded.
