The pair have been in a duel ﷽for the prized ride ever since Bagnaia’s current team-mate Jack Miller, aware that Ducati were looking for alternatives, signed for the factory KTM team in early June.

Whatever happens, Bastianini and Martin will both✨ be factory contracted riders on the very latest Ducati machinery, next season. One of them will be placed ♍alongside Bagnaia, with the other riding for the satellite Pramac team alongside Johann Zarco (Martin’s current place).

Both are 24-years-old and currently competing in their second ꦚMotoGP seasons, so who would you choose for the factory seat?

Enea Bastianini’s season so far

While Martin and the other GP22 riders ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚworked through early set-up issues, Bastianini and last year’s GP21 blasted to sensational debut victories in Qatar, Argentina and France.

The Italian⛦ remained the top Ducati rider in thꦆe world championship until round ten, in Germany, and is the only Desmosedici rider other than Bagnaia to have won races this season.

On the other hand, Bastianini’s results outside of those victories have been far less impressive. Barring a strong fourth ♐at Silverst🥀one, with a broken wing, he has finished 11th, 10th, 8th, 10th and 11th, plus four DNFs.

Jorge Martin’s season so far

First or second on the grid in the opening four rounds underlined Martin’s raw speed, but his season began on the bac༺k foot when he was taken down by Bagnaia in Qatar.

A further DNF in the Mandal💜ika rain meant his fi𓃲rst points came with second place and a victory challenge in Argentina.

The Spaniard wasn’t seen on the rostrum 𝐆again until another runner-up finish, in Barcelona, but was trying to pass Miller for third when he fell on the last lap in Austria last weekend, scene of his debut MotoGP victory aꦍ year earlier.

While Martin can’t match Bastia🍷nini for wins or points this season, he does have the edge over the Italian for the last six rounds.

Despite undergoing hand surgery, Martin has collected 83🃏 points during that period compared to just 24 for Bastianini, who was forced out of fourth place at the Red Bull Ring due to front-wheel damage while battling Martin for third.

Meanwhile…

While all eyes are on Ducati’s decision, it’s worth nothing that Miller has now climbed ahead of both Bastia🍌nini and Martin t🏅o reach fifth in the world championship standings.

The Australian has been a podium contender ever since a set-up change at the Barcelona test, also helping Ducati pu🦋ll clear at the top of the teams’ standings, reminding the factory of what they will be missing next💖 season.