What Martin’s mindset says about his approach to the MotoGP title fight

With questions over the final race of the MotoGP season - caused by the devastating floods in Valencia - championship leader Jorge Martin reckons he can beat rival Francesco Bagnaia anywhere

Jorge Martin is in a bullish mood as he heads into the penultimate race of the 2024 MotoGP season.

The championship leader has a 17-point advantage over the current world champion Francesco Bagnaia going into this weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix.

Last year, he arrived at the season finale trailing Ducati’s Bagnaia by 21 points but still had an outside shot at the title until he crashed in the main race in Valencia.

This time however, he leads the pack with two rounds to go and says he has learned his lessons from last year’s mistake. In an interview with Autosport, he said: “Everything is okay. I am nervous, but this is normal. The past is important. I learned a lot during my career, but also last season was really good in terms of learning.

“I approached [a] very different situation. It is different arriving in first [in the standings this year], but last year was much more tense and focusing on the final goal I made a mistake, so it is now a bit different and I think we are more prepared.”

To its credit, Ducati has promised a fair fight between the team’s factory rider Bagnaia and Martin, who will leave the Pramac Ducati squad next season to join Aprilia. The Spanish rider is grateful that Ducati has given him the opportunity to fight for the title and believes he and Bagnaia keep their championship duel cordial.

“It is a respectful relationship with Pecco. We are not friends, but we are good to each other,” he explained. “There is always no problem. We don't have [a] relationship outside of the races, but during the races we met each other during the weekend, we speak about the race or about the practice or whatever. So I think it's quite good.

“We have known each other from 10 years already. So this is also important.

“I don't think we need to be angry to each other because we are racing motorbikes. We just race at our 100% on track, but outside, we can be good with each other. Everything is quite clear for the future. I'm really grateful to Ducati because, even if I'm not continuing here, they let me have the best package. I hope everything will be the same.”

Despite admitting to nerves, the 26-year-old appears remarkably relaxed as he bids to win his first title since the 2018 Moto3 championship – a reflection of the change in his mindset compared to last year’s title defeat.

“It is already a big privilege to be here again, second year in a row with Pecco until the end,” he said. “Winning the title would mean a lot, not only for me, but for my team and for my people. After all these years, fighting and suffering. They have seen what I've been through. So I think it will be really important for us.

“But winning or not winning will not change how good I am or how good my team was this season. We are not dying. There is no doubt we will give our 100% but not the end of the world.

“I'm from a humble family so in a normal case, it will have been impossible to arrive in the world championship, so without Red Bull, I wouldn't be here, 100%. Luckily, we found the Red Bull Rookies’ Cup, so this was the key to jump from amateur level to the professional level. So I am super grateful to them.”

While the MotoGP riders are focusing on Malaysia, many have been distracted by the terrible scenes in the Valencia region that has been hit by storms and flooding.

The natural disaster has also cast doubt on whether the season finale will go ahead in Valencia as planned between 15-17 November, with the circuit undamaged but access roads around the venue destroyed by flash floods.

With the season finale looking likely to be switched to another venue, Martin, whose thoughts are with the people impacted by the floods, is confident that a track change would not derail his push to win his maiden MotoGP title.

“I want to send all my strength and support to all those families that were affected,” he said. “This was a big, big disaster. A massive storm and was so bad news and it is painful for all Spanish people to see the images.

“In terms of the race? I don’t know. They [MotoGP organisers] will decide the best option. I think racing twice in Malaysia will be difficult and I think it's not the best thing to do. But I will do what they obliged me to do and I think they will find a solution. I don't know where, maybe we [cannot] race, and this is the final round!

“I think there are a few options, maybe Portimao or Qatar I think that they are managing to do.

“I would be happy if they finish the championship this race, because I have good margin but I think I can manage a bit more.

“I'm nervous, but I'm relieved that I am fast, so I don't care if we have to do one more race. I think I can still beat Pecco, even if it is difficult and a big challenge, but I can beat him.

“I think they will do another race, so in case they do, I don't really mind the place [they pick]. I am fast, more or less, everywhere. So we will approach that race weekend like any other one.”