Francesco Bagnaia is feeling the heat as he strives to defend his MotoGP championship title against Jorge Martin. After finishing third in the recent Thailand Grand Prix sprint race, Bagnaia expressed his disappointment at losing crucial points to Martin, who now leads by 22 points with only five races left in the season. With this margin, Martin can secure the title by finishing second in the remaining races, even if Bagnaia manages to win them all.
During the sprint race, Enea Bastianini took the victory, but it was Bagnaia’s inability to fend off Martin that proved pivotal. Reflecting on his performance, Bagnaia noted that he struggled with braking and felt his pace was not at its best. “My feeling wasn’t ideal,” he remarked, emphasizing that he needs to elevate his performance level and not leave anything to chance in the upcoming races. With the championship slipping away, he recognizes the urgency of the situation.
Bagnaia also brought up an incident regarding track limits, suggesting that Martin had strayed onto the green area multiple times without facing penalties. He recalled counting instances where he believed Martin had violated the rules, though he conceded that he might have miscounted. This assertion highlights the competitive tension between the two riders as they navigate the high-stakes environment of the championship.
Interestingly, Bagnaia made it clear that he does not expect any support from his fellow Ducati teammates in this intense title race. “I know it is hard to believe, but I never had any help from anyone in Ducati,” he stated. His philosophy revolves around competing fairly and maintaining a clean racing spirit. This independent mindset could be both a strength and a challenge as he battles for the title.
As the season approaches its climax, Bagnaia understands the need for perfection in his remaining performances