The Pramac Ducati rider, who has lost out on two grand prix wins due to crashing from the lead in 💛Mandalika before making the wrong tyre choice in Australia, trails Francesco Bagnaia by 27 points.

But Martin started this weekend in superb fashion as he topped both Friday♛ practice sessions.

• Bizarre incident as Martin’s wing flies🅠 off and strikes Marquez’s sꦇhoulder 
• MotoG𓂃P Thailand, Buriram - Friday Practice Results

Martin’s day wasn’t without drama though♉ as he crashed moments after setting his fastest time in t🌺he afternoon.

“I wanted to improve beca🔥use you never know if you are inside [the top ten] or outside,” said Martin. “Here we are so close. I checked the data and braked a bit earlier so I was arriving slower. 

“I think a bump was there maybe. I need to understand tomorrow on t𝓀he track to avoid repeating the same. But it wasn’t on the limit.

“First in both sessions and o൲n new tyres it’s easy. But in the afternoon I was really competitive with used tyres and everybody 𝔉out new tyres. 

“I was still in the top five, top six so this is really🔴 good for tomorrow and Sunday. 

“It’s a track where the tyres both front and rear are dropping🍨 a lot. It will be difficult to understand for Sunday. But it’s the same for💙 everybody.”

While his pace on used tyres wa🔯s impressive, so was title rival Bagnaia’s as Martin confessed he feels more confident about the shorter race as it stands. 

Martin added: “I feel more readyꦅ for the sprint than Sunday. I think Sunday will be a really long rac💦e. 

“With the feeling I don’t have Phillip Island, it’s not easy to come here a🥂nd see that the tyres are dropping a lot. Hopefully we make the right ♉decision.”