Jorge Martín believes Aprilia is edging closer to Ducati’s benchmark performance, but concedes the Italian manufacturer still holds a clear advantage at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Despite strong recent form from Aprilia, Martin acknowledged that Ducati set the standard during the Sprint in Goiânia. He pointed out that even on a circuit expected to suit Aprilia, Ducati locked out the top positions, underlining the challenge his team still faces.
“We are a step away from them,” Martin said, expressing confidence in the progress made while recognising the gap that remains.
The Spaniard qualified fifth but recovered well in the Sprint, climbing into third after overtaking rivals including Fabio Quartararo. However, by the time he reached podium position, the leading Ducatis had already built a significant advantage, leaving Martin unable to close the gap.
He ultimately finished several seconds behind the race winner, highlighting the current performance difference between the two manufacturers, particularly over longer runs.
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Martin noted that while Aprilia showed stronger pace earlier in the season, the balance appears to have shifted in Brazil. He also stressed that track conditions played a key role, with changing grip levels making adaptation critical for all riders.
Looking ahead, Martin identified race starts and overall pace as key areas for improvement. Overtaking difficulties at the circuit add further pressure to maximise early track position.
“We need to improve a bit for tomorrow because they are a bit faster, and for the moment, over race distance, it’s very difficult to follow them,” he explained.
Even so, Martin remains optimistic that Aprilia can continue to close the gap, with the team showing clear signs of progress in its fight against Ducati at the front of the field.
