New MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin talks candidly about his career in Grand Prix racing and the valuable lessons he learned as a youngster in the Red Bull Rookies Cup environment.
Jorge Martin Almoguera won the MotoGP World Championship title for the first time in a thrilling finale in Barcelona in a battle with Francesco Bagnaia. And for the first time as a driver in a satellite team. The 26-year-old from Madrid was already world champion in the Moto3 class in 2018. In total, Martin has 18 GP wins and has now been on the Grand Prix podium 60 times.
However, since Martin’s family is not rich, things were very difficult for the best talent at that time. After early years in various small bike series, it would be difficult for Angel’s father. “Without the Red Bull Rookies Cup I wouldn’t be here – I can say that for sure,” admits Martin candidly. “We weren’t poor, but we were a very normal family.”
Martin recalls being selected for the Red Bull Rookies Cup in 2011 among talent scouts Gustl Auinger and Peter Clifford: “When I was selected, I had never ridden a 125cc motorcycle before. But I was in a hurry. They told me “You are still young – come back next year.” Martin kept his word: “I came back a year later and he was the fastest driver.” Martin finished the first year of the Rookie Cup in 12th place. In 2013 he finished second in the final standings and brought the 2014 Cup to Madrid and won it six times.
Martin recalls: “Thanks to this advice, I have improved. It was very emotional at the time. Because I wouldn’t be accepted, I would probably leave the motorcycle scene. I am very happy. I still remember the time when Raul Jara was one of the coaches. People like him gave me a chance! I was in the Red Bull Rookies Cup for three years and then I won. That was a very important moment in my career.”
In the Grand Prix area, Jorge Martin attracted the attention of some top experts. Crew chief Franky Carchedi recognized Martin’s great talent at Aspar in 2015 – then on Mahindra in Moto3 – and told a reporter at Silverstone 2015: “Jorge Martin is probably the biggest talent right now.”
The 2024 MotoGP world champion is Red Bull’s most successful former champion in the premier class. However, Moto3 star David Alonso was able to secure a number of Grand Prix victories. The Colombian rider won 14 Moto3 races in 2024 alone.
