Jorge Martin struggled: hope and pain at the start of the Malaysian GP

Jorge Martin managed to complete no fewer than twelve timed laps during FP1. This meant that, on average, the ‘Martinator’ was only three laps behind the competition. However, Marc Marquez’s closest challenger in the World Championship did not manage more than two fast laps in a row. After passing the track inspection and the medical check by the MotoGP team that morning, it even looked as though an attack in qualifying might be possible – but that was not to be. Instead of a controlled ‘chaos lap’ and the dream of a lucky progression to Q2, the ‘qualifying’ project was brought to a premature end.

Jorge Martin only just managed to avoid a crash

Earlier, the Spaniard had given himself and the Aprilia team a shock. Following a massive slide, Martin only just avoided another crash. Two minutes later, Martin was sitting in the pits, looking far from pleased, and a further two minutes on, the decision to withdraw – following consultation with the race doctor, Dr Angel Charte – was final.

“Following consultation with Dr Charte, Jorge Martin has decided not to continue with qualifying to allow him further time to recover over the weekend,” read the official statement from the Aprilia team. Team manager Paolo Bonora added: “It was a joint decision not to continue on Friday and to try again on Saturday. Qualifying is very difficult for Jorge and the risk at this stage would simply be too high.”

Biss 15 Runden lang auf die Zähne: Jorge Martin

Foto: Gold and Goose

When asked about the ‘near-crash’, team manager Bonora played it down: “It was a completely rational, objective discussion. We based our decision solely on the medical situation. Jorge’s moment of panic had no influence on our decision.”

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As a result, all of the ‘Martinator’s’ public engagements were cancelled. The aim now is to assess during FP2 on Saturday morning whether it is feasible for him to compete in the race. The facts: Jorge Martin was 1.8 seconds off the pace in FP1; in the afternoon, the gap was 2.3 seconds – leaving the World Championship runner-up in last place. Whether Jorge Martin has the strength to improve his position despite a valiant effort – FP2, immediately before qualifying, will provide the answers.

Whilst Jorge Martin is battling for every extra lap, Marc Marquez heads into Sprint Saturday in a more relaxed frame of mind after setting two fastest times. Yet even the championship leader and favourite did not have a perfect day. During free practice, ‘MM93’ crashed but emerged unscathed.