The Indonesian Grand Prix witnessed possibly the biggest turning point in the 2023 Championship. The entire weekend embodied a stage that displayed a showdown between the top 2 Title contenders, Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin. Bagnaia entered the GP weekend as the Championship leader, only to have his lead snatched by Martin after the Spaniard’s Sprint Race win on Saturday. Martin’s Sprint win, coupled with Bagnaia’s P13 spot on the starting grid, set up one of the most exciting races of 2023 on Sunday.

Bagnaia won the stellar Grand Prix from P13, reclaiming his spot as the Championship leader, while Martin spectacularly crashed out of the lead. The factory Ducati rider [Bagnaia] circled the Mandalika Circuit while standing tall on his Desmosudici in celebration. The Italian also put his hand on his ear, signifying his ‘doubters’ to speak louder as he appeared to mock them. A former World Champion and an Icon of the sport, Jorge Lorenzo, expressed his disapproval over the Italian’s celebrations and shared an interesting comment about the Title fight. Lorenzo, while speaking to DAZN, said, “These gestures are not going well”.

Lorenzo added, “intelligently, it is better for him [Pecco Bagnaia] to keep a low profile and he has been a little lucky that Martin has made that mistake.” The Five-time world champion‘s comment reflects his feelings about the Grand Prix as he insists that Martin “lost the race” rather than Bagnaia winning it and thus implores the Reigning World Champion not to celebrate prematurely. Lorenzo is no stranger to Title fights and the mind games that go into such fights. His advice to the Italian Ducati rider surely stems from experience.

Jorge Lorenzo is renowned for his wild celebrations and comments while being in the Title fight, let’s cast our minds back to the 2010 Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez, the year of the Spaniard’s first Championship triumph and the celebration that followed.

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Jorge Lorenzo’s iconic pool diving celebration at the 2010 Jerez Grand Prix

Lorenzo made his Debut in 2008 as a fierce youngster determined to snatch the crown from that Decade’s ‘King of MotoGP’ – Valentino Rossi. Jorge Lorenzo supposedly put up a feeble Title Challenge in 2009 but geared up to be the primary contender for the Championship crown in 2010. Lorenzo was caught in a 4-way battle for the 2010 Championship, competing against 3 other Legends of the sport ( Dani Pedrosa, Casey Stoner, and Valentino Rossi).

On May 2nd, 2010, At the Jerez Grand Prix, Lorenzo fended off his fellow Spaniard, Pedrosa, as the two fought for the Victory. Lorenzo, after claiming a classic win at the circuit, ran towards the circuit pool, still fully cladded in his racing suit. Many anticipated the Rider to stop before the pool entrance for his celebration. However, the Spaniard, quite spectacularly, dived into the pool (still in his race apparel – with the Helmet still on).

The Spaniard’s supporting home crowd roared and cheered as the Rider hilariously struggled to get out of the pool. Lorenzo eventually beat all his rivals in 2010 as he became the 2010 World Champion. Fans have pointed out the irony in Lorenzo’s recent comment about Bagnaia’s celebration, which they think is quite timid in comparison. Lorenzo stated how Martin ‘is going to come with more force’ in the 2023 Title Race. Pecco Bagnaia is only 18 points ahead of Jorge Martin, and it will be interesting to see what unfolds at the Australian Grand Prix next weekend.

In case you missed it:

• Jorge Martin crashes out after saying the ‘Pressure is still on Bagnaia’
• Alex Marquez claims Marc Marquez might retire if the Ducati venture falls short

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