The Ducati dog fight
Duo in battle to grab 2023 factory ride
Enea Bastianini and Jorge Martin are staging the most intense, and intriguing, sideshow to the MotoGP title fight with both chasing promotion to the Ducati factory squad next year with Pecco Bagnaia. Ducati bosses have cut the pair loose with a decision likely after the next race in Austria.
Bastianini (Gresini Ducati) was in full ‘Beast’ mode at Silverstone snatching fourth place from Martin (Pramac) on the final lap after wrestling his GP21 around the track without a left front aerofoil.
The winglet was dislodged in a tight starting squeeze with Martin and VR46 Ducati’s Marco Bezzecchi.
Bastianini and Martin (fifth) were separated by just 0.1s.
Martin had started ninth and at halfway was ahead of eventual second-placed Maverick Viñales after pushing the limit on his tyres.
“I’m super happy. I was very close, podium pace but it’s not easy when you start from ninth. I pushed hard but paid the price with tyres,” Martin said.
Both have talent to burn with the carefree Bastianini cheekily summing up the talent quest after edging Martin. “It’s certainly one more help for those who have to make the decision,” said Bastianini.
“If it was to be the same again in Austria, there would certainly be no reason for a different decision. But we all know that Jorge is a very strong rider. We know his value and his talent. So we will see what the future will be.”
While Bastianini has the edge in results (three wins to zero this year) and championships points – 118 to 81 – it is Martin who recently got the boost of being lauded as a future world champion by Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali.
“I don’t think they will decide because of this race or Austria, I’m doing my best, that’s all,” said Martin.
‘We all know that Jorge is a strong rider’