After his media silence in the Montmelo tests faced as a newly crowned MotoGP champion Jorge Martin is now back talking again, and he did so in the Spanish TV program El Hormiguero.
Still stunned by the hype that normally follows such a milestone, the Madrid native confessed, "It's been an intense year, with many sacrifices and lessons, but now I'm slowly assimilating everything. It's crazy that I won the title and I'm proud to have come this far."
The memory of the grand finale in Barcelona is still vivid in his mind:
"In the last seven rounds my racing career passed in front of me, my dad coming early in the morning or in the evening after work at the circuit, my mom cooking at the various kart tracks. It was tough, so this championship is also for my family and for all the Spanish fans."
Still talking about the highlights of the decisive GP, he recounted, "I knew the last laps would be eternal.
Halfway through the last one I started crying and I couldn't stop until I crossed the finish line.
It would have been enough for me to finish ninth, but I got off to a good start and just tried to stay focused at that point. All in all, it was a quiet race although there is never a shortage of thrills."
The psychological aspect mattered a lot. "I worked a lot from the mental point of view as last year this aspect cost me a lot in the season finale.
In this case I made a good start, on the first lap I was second and then I tried to stay as usual with Bagnaia and Marquez. Only in the closing stages I tried to administer, for the rest it was a normal race."
The 26-year-old then returned to the psychological aspect. "Talking about it is considered taboo because it is seen as a sign of weakness.
In 2023 I was fast and I was winning, but I was not having fun. I was anxious and didn't sleep at night, so I asked for help, in January I started and in the space of two months my life changed.
I was afraid I could no longer fight for a World Championship, but this work on myself gave me a hand.
Now I can take advantage of the pressure and it's a privilege to feel it," he said, sharing his new motto, "I realized that you have to live in the present and learn from the pain of the past without asking questions about the future."
What Martinator achieved, however, is historic. "No one in MotoGP had ever won with a satellite bike.
When Ducati decided not to promote me to the factory team, I told myself I had to do something never done before.
We were 15-20 people, versus a company of 200. Each of the Pramac guys worked for ten. I think it will be remembered forever."
The disappointment over the missed opportunity to join the factory team is still present. "My dream was to become a factory rider. I wanted to stay in Borgo Panigale, but it was not possible.
Life sometimes presents you with challenges, and the move to Aprilia is a big step. In February we will start working as we should.
I think there is potential. My wish is to be able to bring home more titles, having at least eight to 10 years ahead in my career."
Finally, Martin revealed the secret related to the Spanish flag with a designed bull with which he always celebrates his successes.
"My parents always brought it to the circuit and when I won my first race in Moto3 I wanted to wave it. From that time it became a tradition."
