English
Italiano
Francesco Bagnaia's first weekend of the year did not start with one of his most memorable days. Tenth in FP1, after spending some time in the pits, the reigning champion was unable to go any higher than 12th in a second session of the day that was surprisingly wet with rain.
“It wasn’t the start of the season I was expecting, in terms of what happened. But my feeling with the bike was the same as the test, but something else was not working well - said Pecco, speaking of a first practice session that didn't go as expected - We just decided to remain with the same tyres for the session just because we already know thanks to the test where our potential is, where we can go. So, it was not a big issue in that kind of situation. But we lost a bit of time for sure. It’s easily fixed, tomorrow it will be fixed for sure.”
Instead, it was the rain that began to further mess up the Italian rider’s Friday.
“I honestly didn't expect the rain. I would have preferred a normal session, given that this morning wasn't exactly the best situation, but this happens too" said Bagnaia, trying to see the glass half full: "At least we managed to lap in the wet and see what the situation is like and it's not bad. The lights are a bit annoying, but it's not a big problem and the grip wasn't bad. More than anything, you don't understand how much water there is on the track and it's been dirty for a long time. If you're behind someone, after three corners you can't see anymore. We will talk about it in the Safety Commission because, if we don't put 15 tear-off visors like in motocross, it could be a problem in the race, being behind ten other riders."
Setbacks that did not take away the peace of mind of the Lenovo Ducati team rider, despite the sensations not being optimal even in the wet.
“There's no nervousness, but I'm certainly not happy because I aim to always be at the front. In FP2 I didn't feel good, because it was the first time out in the wet with this bike and my feeling wasn't the best, especially when braking - he explained - We still have work to do and in my opinion we took a direction that wasn't the right one. It will be difficult to have other wet sessions here, but for better or worse I think the path to follow was another. In hindsight we should have gone the other way."
Moving on to happier things, the two-time world champion commented on the debut in a race weekend of Pedro Acosta, author of the third fastest time on Friday.
“Acosta has gone very fast. We expected it, because he has always gone very fast. We'll see tomorrow and in the race on Sunday, but here Martin made the podium as a rookie, so there were some rookies who made the difference. There are those who need more time and those who need less, but as I have already said in the tests it is better to leave him alone rather than already start saying that he is awesome, because I think he already has a lot of pressure on himself - underlined Bagnaia - His save in FP1? Personally there are other things that impressed me, because that was more due to instinct."
In addition to the Spanish rookie, Bagnaia was also impressed by the performances obtained by the riders in the cadet classes with Pirelli tyres.
“I think Moto3 and Moto2 were impressive, because comparing this year's first time out with last year's they were three or four seconds faster. It's something incredible - he admitted - As far as we're concerned we'll see tomorrow afternoon in the Sprint Race if there will be any differences in how much rubber there is on the track, however I believe that the Pirelli tyres have a construction more similar to the Michelins. So I don't think they will clean the track of our rubber like the Dunlops did."
Bastianini: “I wasn't as explosive as the others, but I did well”
On the other hand, Enea Bastianini's day was much more linear, as he ended Friday occupying seventh position in both sessions. A sign of the good sensations experienced by the Rimini rider in all track conditions, which gives him hope for the rest of the weekend.
“The picture is quite good because I had a good feeling both in the dry and in the wet. It was very similar in both cases, although perhaps a little better in the dry, and I finished seventh twice. Today is my number, but I'm happy - the Ducati rider said smiling - This morning we did a good job, I had a good pace and, even if I wasn't as explosive as perhaps others were, I think I did well ”.
With the rain having come to disrupt the plans and progress of this first day of action in Lusail, the MotoGP riders will find themselves having to face a particularly intense Saturday.
“It will be like in the past, with the addition of the Sprint - commented Enea - It will be interesting to see how we get to the Sprint. We will certainly be a bit more tired than usual, but I think it was the best solution because today it would have been dangerous to do time attacks."
Despite the change of plan, Bastianini already seems to be well advanced in preparing for tomorrow's Sprint. The first race of this 2024.
“We have made some small changes compared to the test which we will have to confirm tomorrow, even if it seems to have worked. The problem is that we will have little time, so we will have to try to do a good job and a good time - he observed - In any case, I was fast with both bikes, so I think I'm quite ready".
