It goes without saying that the story has changed a bit. While it is true that the first part of the equation needs to be clarified by Ducati, the problem will not be completely resolved until the chosen rider signs the contract. Of the three who started the race for the second Desmosedici from the official garage, Enea Bastianini remained behind, a circumstance which places Martin and Marquez at the two corners of the ring.
The results slightly favor the former, which in turn cannot compete with the latter in terms of impact and media coverage. Beyond these two concepts, it is very difficult to evaluate which of the two is more competitive because the circumstances surrounding them are too distant on all levels.
Martin has built his lead in the World Championship standings on speed and consistency, the two most desirable elements for any title contender. In the six stages disputed so far, the Prima Pramac Racing driver has achieved two victories (Portimão and Le Mans) and a total of four podiums, to which are added another three victories (Qatar, Jerez and Le Mans) and two podiums (Portimão and Austin) in the Sprints.
A brutal success considering the level of competition on the starting grid, with an efficiency rate of 70%. Of the 222 total points up for grabs so far, the Spaniard has won 155, a figure which implies an average of 26 points per Grand Prix, out of a possible 37. The average of Bagnaia, who is second in the standings with 39 points less, is 19 points per event, practically the same as Marquez, who has only two points less than the reigning champion.
This picture should put Martin in pole position to join the Ducati team in 2025. However, the Bolognese brand cannot overlook the epic performances of the eight-time world champion in the last few races. In a decisive stage like this, the number 93 pulled two comebacks out of his sleeve which demonstrate that, riding one of the prototypes of the Italian company, he is very close to his best version.
Only with exceptional mastery of the scene can one get from 13th and 14th position, respectively at Le Mans and Montmelò, to finish on the podium in a devil-may-care manner. Martin has been riding a Ducati for four years, compared to Marquez’s six Grand Prix experience, who also has a prototype which, on paper, offers inferior performance to his opponent.
Marquez’s opulence in all its dimensions, both on and off the track, is his best asset to convince the managers of the Bolognese company. “Gigi is very curious to know what Marc is capable of doing with the latest generation Ducati”, say several voices from the red team garage.
In the same garage there is the certainty that a victory for the rider from Cervera (Lleida) at Mugello this weekend would practically complicate Martin’s continuity at Ducati, given that he himself has made it clear that he is considering staying with the manufacturer. Borgo Panigale only if it is in the official team garage.
An understandable challenge, on the one hand, if we take into account that the brand already preferred Bastianini over him the last time it had to choose. His exit from the scene would be even more logical if we take into account the fact that he would probably be announced as the championship leader, given the 39-point cushion he has at the top of the World Championship. With this statement from Martin in mind, the key is to know what is most valuable to Ducati and what it is willing to lose.
Assuming that the first impulse is to keep the two Spaniards, it seems that there is only one formula that allows this. It would be to put Martin in the official team and convince Marquez to join one of the satellite teams, naturally with the latest evolution of the Desmosedici GP.
In Montmeló, this weekend, the two protagonists who blocked the market once again staged their strategies. Martín, for his part, clarified that next year he will race “with an official team”. According to Motorsport.com, the Prima Pramac Racing rider has an offer from Pierer Mobility on the table and has given Ducati until Mugello to convince him.
If he does not receive a response in the next few days, or if the proposal received does not satisfy him, he will enter into active negotiations with the Austrian group. Márquez, for his part, insisted that he has a plan in his head that is working the way he wants it to. The six-time world champion is much subtler than his opponent and prefers not to close any doors. Like Martin, KTM is also ready to recruit him if he decides to leave Ducati.
The multiple champion insists that he wants to return to an official structure because it can guarantee him the resources and equipment needed to compete for the title. This does not mean, however, that he is not considering the possibility of agreeing to race with a satellite team, should Ducati vote in favor of his compatriot. What seems clear is that, with a large part of the budget intended for the payment of the drivers’ salaries already assigned to Bagnaia, his next teammate could be not so much the chosen driver, but the one who is most willing to give up the most to obtain the place.
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