Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin really feel there isn’t any purpose why they need to be “enemies outdoors the monitor” as they battle for the 2024 MotoGP title.
For a second season in a row, Bagnaia and Martin have been in a category of their very own in MotoGP, with their championship battle set to culminate in subsequent week’s Barcelona finale.
Their rivalry has taken place in opposition to the backdrop of Pramac rider Martin being snubbed for a promotion to the manufacturing unit Ducati team subsequent yr, with six-time champion Marc Marquez as an alternative being chosen for the coveted seat alongside Bagnaia.
Whereas the modifications instigated by Ducati made Martin lose religion within the Borgo Panigale marque and forge a brand new profession path with Aprilia from 2025, he hasn’t allowed that call to have any impression on his relationship with Bagnaia.
The Italian, too, has returned the favour, with each repeatedly emphasising the respect they’ve for one another as rivals.
Talking once more in regards to the matter after partaking in an epic early battle for victory within the Malaysian GP, Bagnaia reiterated his intention to take care of a cordial relationship together with his championship rival.
“For me it is vitally simple [to maintain harmony with Martin] as a result of I am not the kind of man that desires to be impolite outdoors of the monitor after which should be impolite within the monitor or to be aggressive – pushing out and being the one that does not respect rivals,” he stated.
“I’ve by no means been like this and I’ll by no means be like this. If in case Jorge will begin to do it, I’ll change, however Jorge is kind of the identical as me.
“Certainly, respect is the primary factor and can all the time be like this from my viewpoint. So I do not perceive why we should be enemies outdoors of the monitor, not converse to one another and be impolite. I want [it] like this.”
Jorge Martin, Pramac Racing, Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Group
Photograph by: Dorna
Each Martin and Bagnaia raced for Aspar Mahindra in Moto3 again in 2015 and have been part of the grand prix paddock ever since.
That helped set up a stable basis to their relationship, with the depth of a title battle not sufficient to place a dent within the respect they’ve for one another on and off the monitor.
“We [have] identified one another since 2015. We had been actually shut pals prior to now,” stated Martin. “Now we now not have that relationship however we’re good to one another.
“As he stated, it is no sense to [be enemies]. We will battle, you noticed on Sunday, it is a tremendous battle for historical past.
“Perhaps not the final laps, but it surely was wonderful [overall] after which we will discuss it. I feel we each loved it.
“And as he stated, if it is like this sooner or later, for me it is going to be good, and I hope it is going to be like this all the time.”