The fact that Martin has a good lead in the standings over Bagnaia doesn't make him immune to dangerous setbacks or plot twists, which is why the duel last Sunday in Sepang stirred spirits in Prima Pramac's garage and also those of Team Manager Gino Borsoi, who didn't deny that he watched the race with palpitations, to say the least.
Aware that his rider is just 14 points away from bringing home the result of a lifetime, the team manager preferred to skirt the issue when teased by AS.
"Could we be champions already after the Sprint? It won't change anything for me when it happens. That said, they would both deserve the title. The battle in Malaysia was incredible.
They offered us a show at the beginning of the race that I don't even think the viewers from home could stay seated on the couch for," he said enthusiastically about the level the two contenders demonstrated for the most prestigious cup.
Sportsmanship and a zen-like attitude for the 50-year-old who, speaking about the Malaysian event, revealed that he was afraid something could go wrong.
"I have to tell the truth. As much as I tried to keep calm, I suffered a lot," he said before delving into the technical aspect.
"The plan was to get off to a great start and take the lead, avoiding the slipstream, since it makes the front tire overheat.
If you stay behind, your race ends, and that's why neither of us wanted to be there.
Anyway, hats off to them for what they did, for how they fought, for doing it cleanly, but also for Jorge's coolness, as he knew how to fight for the World Championship."
Even if he's rooting for the Spanish rider, Borsoi also praised the defending champion who, in Montmelo, could end up losing the scepter he's been holding onto since 2022.
"Whoever comes out the winner can be proud. We haven't seen a level like this in a long time.
It's so high that it's hard to remember the previous ones. They're two gentlemen riders on the same bike.
Maybe the only comparison that can be made is the head-to-head between Rossi and Lorenzo in the Yamaha era, but those two have raised the bar by a point," he remarked.
