“As everyone knows, we confirmed Enea for the official team at the end of August,” Ducꦍati sporting director Paolo Ciabatti told MotoGP.com during the Malaysian GP weekend.

"It’s true with Martin’s current level of performanꦉce it’s a reality we should consider. But no decision taken obv🙈iously, but let’s see. We cannot ignore this level of performance [by Martin]..."

Coincid😼ence or not, Bastianini, who has been sidelined by injuries twice this season, then delivered by far his best weekend as a factory rider.

The Italian followed team-mate and title leader Francesco Bagnaia home for fourth in the 🍒Sprint, then brilliantly won the Sunday grand prix, also his first podium appearance in factory red.

Although Martin rides for Pram𒆙ac, like🍨 Bastianini, Bagnaia and Johann Zarco he is contracted directly to the Ducati factory, simplifying the possibility of a switch.

“We are very happy that everyone is talking about us, and about our riders!” said team manager Davide Tardozzi, responding to the rider switch rumours on TNT Sports.

“The truth is that the riders belong to Ducati.

“They have Ducati contracts. Honestly, we c🅘an do what we want.

“We decide things, we can cha👍nge things, we can re-chan෴ge things, everything can happen.

“In this moment, we have no talk about it.

“We neve⛎r had doubts about Enea. He suffered from his injuries.

“[Why] 👍was he at theꦦ back?… Obviously because he is injured.

“Sometimes they want to try to do too much.

“One of the key points was Friday night. Pecco he🉐lped him. This makes a huge difference in Enea’s attitude🥀.”

Asked for his opinion, Bagnaia said it would be ‘not fair’ for Ba𝓡stianini to lose his factory seat given 🅷his injury-ravaged season.

Martin said he would be "proud if I continue in Pramac next season, but for sure if Ducati wants me to join with a red bike𒈔 I will be super happy also.”

Since Martin’s factory move is only thought to 𒊎be a possibility if he wins the MotoGP title, which would be a first ꧙for a satellite team rider, Bastianini will have extra incentive to help Bagnaia in his quest for a second premier-class championship.

Bagnaia starts this wee🐟kꦆend’s penultimate round in Qatar with a 14-point lead over Martin, with 74 points still available.