Five points. This is the gap in the standings that Jorge Martin accuses against the leader Francesco Bagnaia after the Austrian Grand Prix. A trifle after 11 Rounds, which once again confirms the difference that the two Ducati riders are making, protagonists of a duel at the Red Bull Ring resolved twice in favor of the man from Piedmont. Two second places that are a bit tight for the Pramac Racing team's Madrid rider, who is aware, however, that he did his best in Austria and is ready to return to the attack in Aragon, in two weeks.
"It's really frustrating, because even today I had the potential to win. Pecco, however, seems to be doing a little better at the moment - Jorge said in the post-race conference - I think I made a good start, but the moment I found myself in second position I pretty much lost all my chances of winning the race. Overall, though, I think I had a good race and I had a good pace even at the end. There was a good difference with the others, also because it seems that Pecco and I are one step ahead. I took more points with this second consecutive second place and I hope I can improve the result next time. Even so though, I feel competitive and the most important thing is that I gave 100 percent. Now we will go to Aragon and I will try again."
Despite coming out defeated in the confrontation with Bagnaia, Martinator gives honor to his opponent.
"As Pecco also said, it's not just about this year or last year, we still have many years ahead to fight against each other - noted the Spanish rider talking about his relationship with the Piedmontese - I did my best and he was better than me. Why should I be angry with him? Between us there is respect on and off the track and I am happy for his victory. I hope our relationship will go on like this for the rest of our lives."
The injured thumb Friday night certainly didn't help Martin, but he downplayed the extent of the setback.
"It was not a problem. Yesterday I said it was okay, and today it was not a problem either," he underlined, "Let's say it's very inflamed, I wouldn't know how else to explain it, however, it was absolutely not a problem riding."
More problematic, perhaps, were the lock-ups suffered at the front.
"We definitely have a lot of front-end lock-ups in Ducati, but this is nothing new," Jorge explained, "it's been like this for three seasons. We're quite used to it, although it's true that it's a little worse here because it's something we've felt so much, also because of the high temperatures. When you try to load the front more or have more transfer, you have a little less lock-up. So it's a matter of finding a balance, but it's a problem that doesn't go away. For my part, I had a lot of lock-ups this weekend and being behind Pecco in the race it was even worse because the temperatures were even hotter. It's strange to brake and have the feeling of falling all the time, but we controlled the situation."