SEPANG: The title race is coming to a climax but contenders Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia both cut calm and collected figures ahead of the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia which starts at Sepang tomorrow.
Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) leads the MotoGP standings with a decent 17 point advantage over second placed Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) in a reverse of the situation both riders faced at the same time last year.
Martin, who finished second to Bagnaia in the championship last season, said he is much better equipped to deal with the pressure this year.
The Spaniard can wrap up the title in Malaysia - the penultimate round of the season - if he can walk away from the two races here with 21 points more than Bagnaia.
"It is a big privilege to be here again with Pecco (Bagnaia). Pecco is an amazing champion but I am confident, I feel good and I trust in the work I have done to arrive at this point," said Martin during the pre-race press conference at Sepang today.
"Last season, I was really struggling with the situation and felt tense and nervous. This year, of course the pressure is still there, but I have improved a lot and am more mature.
"I know I can lose it (title) but I also know I can win it. I lost it last year but nothing (bad) happened to me, it was not the end of the world.
"I will try 100 per cent to get it this season. I will fight for my people, my team and for me."
Bagnaia, who narrowed the gap to Martin by five points at last week's Thailand GP, is looking to make more progress here.
"It is definitely an important weekend and we have to start working as best as possible. We know what we did wrong on Saturday (Thailand GP) and will work on improving," said Bagnaia.
The two-time defending champion added that he will have to take more risks if he is to make up ground.
"We are at a moment in the championship where I can risk more than Jorge. He can be calmer because he has a gap and can afford to finish second," added Bagnaia.
"It is true that you cannot make mistakes but in this moment, the best way to attack is to give (it) more gas.
"I will give it the maximum and try to win both races and close the gap."
Martin and Bagnaia finished second and third in the sprint race behind winner Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo) at the Thailand GP. Bagnaia won the race proper with Martin coming in second, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull Gasgas Tech3) completed the podium.