4-time grand prix winner Bastianini was chosen over Martin to take Jack Miller’s place on the manufacturing facility Ducati squad for this yr, following his higher performances in 2022 with Gresini Racing.
However Bastianini has endured a torrid marketing campaign, which has been blighted by harm and a problem in adapting his using type to the 2023 bike.
With Martin simply 11 factors behind Bagnaia within the championship battle, there have been solutions he may very well be swapped with Bastianini for 2024 if he wins the title – with Ducati sporting director Paolo Ciabatti confirming on the Malaysian Grand Prix that this can be a chance.
Bastianini is having fun with his finest weekend since final yr’s Malaysian GP, after qualifying third and ending fourth within the dash.
Requested by Motorsport.com whether it is powerful to give attention to bettering his personal type whereas the Martin rumours persist, Bastianini mentioned: “Nicely, Jorge has achieved a very good season in comparison with me.
“I’ve made a really disastrous season, but additionally I am nonetheless actually unfortunate from the beginning.
“In Portimao I used to be aggressive and doubtless my season may be higher with out this harm (after he suffered a damaged shoulder in a dash collision).
“You recognize, we will’t talk about this as a result of I do know my potential however most likely typically if you happen to attempt to do one thing extra, you don’t arrive at your goal, you must come again a bit bit.
“Now I’ve come again, I perceive what’s the downside. I haven’t stress from this case, I’m solely comfortable about my efficiency of in the present day and to have enjoyable on my bike.”
Bastianini has been working with a thumb-operated rear brake at Sepang to enhance his corner-entry on the 2023-spec Ducati. This, together with modifications to the bike’s engine braking settings, has allowed him to make a breakthrough in type.
“Yeah, now we have modified additionally the engine brake in comparison with the opposite races,” he defined.
“We have now made an enormous distinction of set-up of the engine brake in comparison with all my requirements, in comparison with final yr.
“I wish to go quick, but additionally I must cease the bike and was my major downside this yr.
“And this resolution with the rear brake right here has helped me rather a lot to know how I’ve to do the nook.
“It’s tougher if you find yourself within the race, when there are different riders in entrance, particularly within the first nook.
“I haven’t understood why it was tough however after two, three laps I’ve understood learn how to use this.”
Bastianini got here near taking third away from Francesco Bagnaia in Saturday’s dash in Malaysia, however says he elected towards it given his team-mate’s championship scenario.
“Yeah, a superb battle with the 2 KTMs in the present day,” Bastianini added.
“[Brad] Binder is de facto exhausting to overhaul him as a result of he brakes actually late. I attempted from Flip 1 to Flip 2, and in addition later within the change of path with Jack [Miller].
“Once I arrived to Pecco, I additionally made the choice to remain there as a result of it was higher for me, higher for him, higher for the staff.
“Additionally as a result of it was harmful, additionally the entrance tyre was crucial. I noticed an issue like mine on Pecco’s bike.
“For tomorrow we have to remedy this downside as a result of for the lengthy race it may very well be an issue.”
