Aprilia rider Jorge Martin expressed that words spoken and actions taken in races can unexpectedly come back to haunt him. The rider said he learned that he needs to control his ego during races and value what others think about him less.
Lessons from Racing Mistakes
Jorge Martin evaluated one of his critical mistakes in his career through events at the beginning of the 2023 season. After an incident with Marc Márquez, Martin injured, and he stated that he felt Márquez was at fault in the accident and used harsh language afterward. In a subsequent race, following an incident with Alex Márquez, the Spanish rider was observed to have retired from the race.
Martin expressed the ironic connection between these two incidents as follows:
Marc touched me, and I sprained my ankle. I spoke poorly about that race and blamed him. Then, in the next race, I dropped my brother.
The rider emphasized that these experiences taught him a significant lesson.
I need to pay attention to what I say, and I need to understand how far I can go in certain matters. But I try to be honest. I am a genuine person, and I like knowing what people think of me.
The Approach in Youth
Jorge Martin stated that it is easy to speak thoughtlessly under the excitement and pressure of a race due to inexperience. The rider stressed that one should act calmer during these times.
With the excitement of that moment, you say what comes to mind without much experience in speaking under pressure when you are younger. As years pass, one needs to develop and try to be calmer when expressing their thoughts.
The Need to Prove Oneself and My Change
Martin disclosed that during a significant part of his career, he felt the need to prove himself to others. The rider, who had to constantly prove himself to qualify for Moto3 from Rookies Cup, sign better contracts, and become a world champion, said that his perspective changed at one point.
I always wanted to prove things. Because of where I have been and where I have come from, I had to constantly prove myself. After becoming world champion, I realized that this thought was no longer benefiting me.
When I won the world championship, I felt I had to prove to people that I was good. But at one point, something changed and I said, 'I don't have to prove anything to anyone anymore.'
According to Martin, the main motivation is no longer what others think, but his own performance.
I do this because I love this sport. My goal is to prove that I will do the best I can with what I can do on the track and extract the maximum from myself. What satisfies me is this; it is not what people think of me. Because I cannot control that.
Ego Control and Winning Focus
The rider said that the change in perspective helped him control his ego. Jorge Martin stated that being favored is not always a good thing for himself. The rider clarified that he is there to win, not to be popular.
Being favored only feeds the ego; it is useless for anything else. I am here to win, not to be popular.
Martin stated that he strives to maintain humility in racing and training, and he does not allow external praise to affect his performance.
I continue to be humble in racing, training, and practice. When I come onto a track and I am told that I am favored or the best, I do not think that it adds anything to me.
According to Martin's views in his career, his approach is now based on his own performance, his development, and the highest level he can reach on the track, rather than on others' expectations.
Figures
- Archive: Jorge Martin Racing Tires Created Safety Risk (October 5, 2026)
Read the full story at the original source.
Go to sourceCompiled by Şükrü Utku Poyraz
