Jorge Martin: ‘Nerve problem’ returns - couldn’t feel brake, throttle

Having dropped from eighth to 14th in the opening laps, the Pramac Ducati rider was holding 11th place when he fell from his Desmosedici GP22.

Afterwards, Martin revealed he had suffering numbness in his right hand and will head for hospital checks on Monday.

“From last year I’ve had a nerve problem [in my arm] and my hand was sleeping,” Martin said. “I tried to continue the race, but from the third lap I couldn’t feel the brake and even the throttle.

“I didn't know how much I was opening [the gas] or braking so I just tried to finish. Tomorrow I will go to the hospital, try to solve this problem.

“It had been a good weekend. Good pace, good qualifying, but in the race we had this issue so we need to find a solution to improve.”

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The young Spaniard, whose best result so far this year is second in Argentina this year, added that it was the first time this year he’s suffered from the issue, the symptoms of which sound similar to arm pump.

“It's been a big issue last year. I've been through some therapies and I was improving a lot, but then this year here for the first time it arrives again, this big problem,” he said.

“It was the only issue today. I think I was strong, I started quite bad but then I was recovering positions. But then when this [problem] arrived… I couldn't, I mean the riders without sensitivity [on the controls] we are nothing and I couldn't feel anything.”

2023? 'We need to start making results'

Despite the DNFs, which include being taken out by Francesco Bagnaia at the Qatar season-opener, Martin had underlined his raw speed by qualifying first or second at the opening four rounds.

However, the recent events in Portimao, Jerez and Le Mans have seen the 2021 race winner fail to qualify higher than ninth, while the run of non-scores has now left Martin 15th in the world championship.

Meanwhile, Jack Miller and Enea Bastianini, Martin’s rivals for the second factory seat alongside Bagnaia in 2023, were both back on the podium at Le Mans and hold third and fifth respectively in the world championship.

“For sure we can see Enea and also the Ducatis are in good shape. I think compared to them during the weekend I was in the same level, just in the race I had this issue. But for sure we need to start making results,” Martin said.

“For the moment I just want to stay with Ducati [next year], but for the moment the only target is to return to my level.”

Team-mate Johann Zarco, also riding a GP22, finished his home race in fifth.