The MotoGP title contender was second fastest behind fellow Ducati rider Alex Marquez, with both 🃏riders breaking into the 1m 57s barrier.

Martin was th🌃e first rider to do that before Marquez found even more time w🍃ith his final effort. 

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But the Spaniard waꦗs not completely convinced by the performance shown🐲, as he feels on the limit already.

“The target was to go directly thr🌺ough to Q2; we had some issues with the strategy because I put the [fastest] tyre in during the morning and had to change the strategy,” Martin told MotoGP.com. 

“But f🧜inally, I was able to go fast iಌn both attempts. In terms of pace we are super strong and riding under 1m 58s is an impressive time. 

“We will see in the mo🐬rning but we are already on the limiꦏt with performance. It will be complicated to improve.

“In time attack mode I made some mistakes so I will have more tomor𝐆row. 

“In terms of pace we just need to work for the end of the race because we didn't arrive for the whole distan🥂ce.”

Like Thailand and Japan, the Malaysian Grand Prix is usually known for its unpredictable weather, which could ♊spice up the action at Sepang as the weekend develops.

For Martin, performance in both dry and wet conditions has 𒁏been a huge strength in 2023, but that doesn’t change the fact that having a dry race is by far his preferred option. 

Ma🐼rtin added: “I feel strong in the dry and this is so important. Last time it was wet I won so I’m confident everything can go well. But I’m praying for a dry⛎ race tomorrow.”