Martin throws Pramac future into doubt amid exit rumours

Updated 11/04/2024 at 19:49 GMT

Jorge Martin does not expect to be racing for his current team Prima Pramac Racing beyond the current season after expressing his ambition to join a factory team by 2025. The 26-year-old has started the 2024 season electrically and sits top of the standings with an 18-point lead after victory at the Portuguese Gran Prix. On his future, Martin said: “I think I won’t stay here.”Jorge Martin (89) of Spain and Prima Pramac Racing Ducati during the race day of the Grande Premio Tissot de Portugal at Autodromo do Algarve on March 24, 2024 in Lagoa, Algarve, Portugal. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Image credit: Eurosport

Jorge Martin has put his Prima Pramac Racing future into serious doubt after expressing his desire to join a factory team.

The MotoGP leader revealed his ambition of where he would like to be racing next year when questioned over rumours that his current team, Pramac, could switch to M1 machinery.

“Well, at the moment I am more attached to Ducati than with Pramac,” Jorge said. “It has been like this for all my MotoGP career. Everybody knows what my priority is.

“Let’s wait because it is still early but I hope to move to a factory team. Even if Pramac changes, I think, I won’t stay here.”

Martin has enjoyed a blistering start to the season with two podium finishes in the opening two races, the second of which he beat Enea Bastianini to win the Portuguese Grand Prix.

In addition to his victory, his third-place finish in the season opener in Qatar has given him an 18-point lead heading into the third race of the season at the Circuit of the Americas in the United States.

“I’m really happy about the start of the season so far,” he said. “We are doing a great job. I think our target is to be better than the years before.

“Not only here but I struggled quite a lot last season at this track. The main target is to be better every year. Let’s see.

“It will be a big challenge because there are a lot of strong rivals for this weekend. I’m confident and we are doing a good job.

“I feel in a good physical condition which is really important here.

“Last season I had some fever and with the antibiotics, I was struggling quite a lot. I hope to be one of the best.”

Quartararo was reportedly close to leaving Yamaha but decided to stay with the team despite revealing he spoke to other potential suitors.

“Of course we talked to different manufacturers,” Quartararo admitted. “The decision was not as easy, but in Portugal I had a great meeting with the top management of Yamaha engineers about the project from now to the end of the year, and 2025 and 2026.

“There are some really interesting things that are still confidential about Yamaha’s new people and the project is going to be huge. So the decision was made in Portugal.”

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