However, Martin also feels that his lack of focus with regards to the tire strategy is also what played a huge part in a relatively subdued performance on Sunday, where he never tried the medium rear tires for the race and ultimately decided to go with the softer option tires.

“Well, after such a difficult weekend with two crashes yesterday, we saved the Sprint with a podium, but finally today was really difficult,” Martin admitted after finishing the Grand Prix of the Americas in fourth place.

“We made a mistake with the rear strategy, without trying the medium, and today I couldn’t go with another tire other than the soft because it was impossible to go with the medium without trying it.”

“So I’m happy overall because I did a great race. I did make a mistake in the middle of the race, when I went wide at T7 and Marc and Pedro overtook me. I lost a little bit of my pace and references, then at the end I tried to improve, I did my fast laps, but Enea had something else in the last two laps.”

“Even though I’m happy, we took twenty points from this track, which is not one of my best. I’m confident that in Europe we can be really competitive.”

Martin was engaged in a feisty battle with the rookie Pedro Acosta at the earlier stages, who served as a huge roadblock for Martin who was desperately looking for clean air to preserve his softer rear tires.

But due to some aggressive exchanges between the two, Martin ultimately wore out his softer tires much quicker than the KTM rider who chose the medium rears for the race.

“He [Acosta] is not easy!” Martin joked. “He, for sure, is very ambitious. Every lap he went through, I thought I was losing time with the soft because I knew he was with the mediums.”

“So I was behind and I was losing the race, and it was really tough to overtake him but finally I got that move and I was able to get that first position, but it took me like five overtakes in four laps. So yeah, he is a great talent, and you also learn from the young guys.”

Speaking on his healthy 21 point buffer in the championship, Martin felt that it is consistency like this which will be needed to fight for the 2024 crown.

“Now I have even less pressure because I’m finally off the podium, so now it’s time to get another five in a row! So let’s hope for that.”

“I think we are doing a great job by focusing on ourselves and going race by race. Last season I did a third and a crash, today we did a third and a fourth, so these are points that are always important.”