Michael Laverty reflects on Jorge Martin crash at Indonesia Grand Prix as Francesco Bagnaia wins - ‘Over-confidence'

Michael Laverty believes Jorge Martin was guilty of ‘over-confidence’ as Francesco Bagnaia claimed a dramatic victory at the Indonesian Grand Prix.

The Ducati rider made a stunning run from 13th in the grid to win the race, becoming the first rider to win a dry grand prix from outside the front four rows since Marco Melandri at 2006 Turkish Grand Prix.

While there were joyous scenes for Pecco and Ducati, it was a tale of woe for Martin, after relinquishing his championship lead when he looked to be cruising towards victory.

When reflecting on the crash at lap 13, Laverty told TNT Sports: “The air of confidence sometimes can catch you out.

“It’s almost over confidence and Neil [Hodgson] did say there’s maybe a mistake in Jorge. He’s on the clean part of the track, but the front tucks before he has a chance to get in the corner and put his knee on the deck.

“His head is in his hands and he knows straight away what’s happened. He hopes that it’s maybe 16 points that Pecco [Francesco Bagnaia] gets back, but in the end, it’s 25.

“He had such an advantage at this stage of the race, he could’ve cruised it, but you have to keep your focus, push every single level to maintain it and not to make mistake. Unfortunately, that’s what happened.”

Laverty also praised Bagnaia for the way he managed the race at the end, and for biding his time to regain the lead.

The win was all the more remarkable after a disappointing performance in Saturday’s sprint race, which saw the Ducati rider finish eighth.

“He was under pressure in the last quarter and you could see the tyres going for all the podium contenders. I would have loved to see another two laps there," he added.

“Fair play to Pecco, he came from 13 through the pack. He didn’t push too hard at the middle, but he saw the gap going away at the front and he controlled it well. That’s what his skill is, he knows exactly what he can get out of the bike on every occasion.

“The overtakes he was able to make, Pecco couldn’t do yesterday. He went clean down the inside of Maverick [Vinales] on the left at turn 10. What was key today for Pecco was precise breaking.

“It’s back to Pecco prior to the Catalunya crash, with these type of overtakes, controlling the pace and managing the tyre wear.”

Meanwhile, Neil Hodgson reflected on that tense finish to the race in particular, with Maverick Vinales and Fabio Quartararo breathing down his neck.

“One more lap he would've probably finished third, if not second,” he said.

“I literally can't believe it; the momentum swung so strongly in Jorge Martin's favour, and I was starting to think, 'I hope it doesn't get boring now.'

“You were starting to think, 'who's going to be beat Jorge Martin?' But this championship keeps on delivering, and that mistake has come and the momentum switches back.

“We go to Phillip Island, the exact opposite to hear with a freezing cold track, super grippy and it's incredibly fast. Who's your favourite? I have no idea, all I know is, this championship is so on.”

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