MotoGP Malaysia: Francesco Bagnaia: ‘Not fair on Enea’ if Martin moved to Factory Ducati team
The speculation, unconfirmed by Ducati, suggests that if Martin was to make history as the first satellite rider to win the ‘MotoGP’ ꦗ(2002 onwards) title, he could be promoted to the official team alongside Bagnaia.
That would 💝be at the expense of Bagnaia’s current teꦆam-mate Enea Bastianini.
Four wins for Gresinꦕi last season saw Bastianini picked🦄 over Martin for the coveted factory seat, only to be sidelined by injuries at the opening Portimao round, then again in Catalunya.
When he has bee♛n on track, Bastianini has rarely looked comfortable with the GP23, managing a best finish of seventh (Sprint) and eighth (grand prix).
Meanwhile, Martin is in the best form of his career, w🌄inning four GPs this season and the last five Sprint races i🍨n a row to pile the pressure on reigning champion Bagnaia.
Like Bagnaia, Bastianini and Marti♔n are both contracted directly to Ducati, which would theoretically make such a team swap easier.
Howꦑever, Bagnaia made clear he thinks it would be unfair 🍌to demote Bastianini.
“I've never been part of this kind of decisio♑n and I don’t want to be part of this kind of decision,” Bagnaia said.
“I think that for Enea, it's not💯 fair, for the season he had [with injuries]. But I'm here just to race and it's better to ask him than me. I don't know.”
Martin suggest🧔ed he would be open to such a possibility if Ducati requested it.
“Well, I cannot say a lot. I can say I 🔯would be proud if I continue in Pramac next season, but for sure if Ducati wants me to join with a red b🐟ike I will be super happy also,” Martin said.
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has ✃seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit 𒈔story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
