The 2024 MotoGP™ campaign is nearing its conclusion as we arrive in Sepang for Round 19 ahead of a title-defining weekend at the PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia. Ahead of the action kicking off on Friday, we got the low down from the title-contending duo, plus their respective Team Managers previewed what lies up the road.
JORGE MARTIN (Prima Pramac Racing)
How are you feeling knowing that you have the chance to be crowned MotoGP World Champion?
“First of all, I want to send all my support to everyone from Spain, from Valencia and from my country. It was a massive storm, and there has been some really bad news from yesterday and today, so I want to send all my support. From my side, I’m okay, I’m confident, and it’s a privilege to be here with Pecco, I think it’s crazy nowadays with equal bikes, and now for both of us again to be battling for the Championship here one year later and battling with Pecco, who is an amazing Champion. I am confident, I feel good, and I will put trust in my work. I will fight till the end with everything I have for my team, my people and myself.”
Do you feel any extra pressure this weekend?
“It’s a big privilege to be here again, I think last year I was really tense and nervous, and we did the same in Qatar. I was feeling a lot of pressure, and this year, the pressure is there, but I think I’m more mature, and yesterday, I was able to enjoy the moment. I know I can lose it, but I also know I’m able to win it. Last year, I lost the title, and nothing happened to me, so it’s not the end of the world, so I will give it my 100% this weekend.”
FRANCESCO BAGNAIA (Ducati Lenovo Team)
Do you feel once again that this weekend is a must-win weekend to put pressure on Jorge?
“As Jorge said, first of all, it’s important to talk about what is happening in Spain, in Valencia. They are living their worst nightmare, and we have to come together. We know it’s impossible to do something to help them, but we were close to a similar situation in Italy last year, and we know exactly what is happening. My best wishes, and I hope to see an improvement in the conditions and the weather to improve the situation. It’s a very important weekend, and we know that it’s important to start working in the best way possible, like we did in Thailand. We know what we did wrong on Saturday, and for this weekend, we need to try and gain more than three points like last weekend.”
Are you as relaxed as you looked yesterday, and does this feel different to previous years?
“It was a different Kuala Lumpur compared to previous years, as it looked like Qatar from above on the rooftop. In terms of pressure, it’s always there, but it’s nice to be in this type of situation. I love to be in this situation. It’s true that, on the one side, I need to be fast, but I’m also not able to make any mistakes. At the moment, Jorge is in a better situation in terms of the Championship, but I was in the same situation last year, and you feel like you need to be calmer. To be competitive in that situation is difficult, but I think we just need to enjoy the situation and work as always.”
GINO BORSOI (Prima Pramac Racing – Team Manager)
How proud are you of the team and Jorge to be fighting for the title against Pecco?
“First I want to send all my thoughts to the Valencia community because it is also my place. They are suffering a lot today, and I wish them my best, if I can do something from my side, then of course I will. I send all the best to them as this is a hard moment for them. This last part of the season, like last year, it’s a privilege to be fighting with the factory team again, and we will do our best in the last two races to make the best result possible.”
What would it mean for Pramac Racing to end this chapter with Ducati as World Champions?
“It has been a nice chapter for us. Last year, we achieved an incredible goal as the first Independent Team to win the Team’s title. This year, we now have another good chance to get the Riders’ title, and I have to say thanks to Ducati because we are in this situation. After all, they gave us all the support and all the tools for us to be competitive all the time. So thanks to them for allowing us to be here again.”
Do you see a different Jorge this year, is he better prepared to handle the pressure?
“I think the pressure will be the same compared to last year, even if you are ahead of Pecco and the factory team. I think we learned a lot from last year and have improved so much compared to last year. We were able to understand what was missing and what the key points were to be able to fight for the Championship. Not only has Jorge improved his mental side, but I am also improving in this area on the mental side with a mental coach. It’s something which everyone in this situation has to improve because when the stressful moments arrive, you have to be ready in your mind.”
DAVIDE TARDOZZI (Ducati Lenovo Team – Team Manager)
A different situation for Pecco this year, how confident are you that Pecco can turn it around?
“Also, from my and Ducati’s side, we are very close to the Comunidad Valenciana because what has happened has been very bad. Personally, I faced the same situation one and a half years ago in my home town and close to my area. I know it will be very difficult to clean up everything and solve the problems. Regarding Pecco, it is obvious that the situation last year was much better, but I see him as a confident rider and having won nine Sunday races and being 17 points behind is heavy on the heart. He is really confident; he is aware of the possibilities, and we will see what happens with the last round, as whatever Dorna decides for us is fair. We will try hard to win both races this weekend, and I am sure Jorge will try and do the same. We appreciate Jorge’s attitude while leading the Championship and also as a fighting contender like last year.”
How crucial is Pecco’s previous experience?
“I think the last couple of years, even in 2021 when he lost the Championship to Fabio, is something that has allowed him to learn to manage the situation. The last two years have proved that he has matured and grown up, but unfortunately, he and Jorge have made mistakes throughout the season. Finally, he has proved that he is a World Champion and that he is fighting against an incredible rider like Jorge.”
Are there team orders in place?
“We haven’t spoken with Enea, he is fighting against Marc for third position, so they are fighting for their own position in the Championship, and even third is better than fourth. At the moment, there are no team orders or discussions regarding this matter.”
