Francesco Bagnaia Reveals What He's Missing In Jerez Compared To 2022
Categories: MotoGP
For World Champion Francesco Bagnaia the race weekend in Jerez does not start well. The Italian will have to go through Q1 on Saturday.
Pecco Bagnaia arrives at the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez with a victory from last year in his pocket. However, despite some big expectations, Friday’s practice sessions do not go according to plan.
Especially compared to the dominant performance in 2022, the Ducati star is missing a lot. In the debrief, he reveals what he needs to improve before qualifying on Saturday.
“Last year my feeling on this track was incredibly good. Today, on the other hand, I struggled to be consistent, especially in the afternoon.”
“I’m struggling a bit with the feeling of the front. We are working on it, we also already have an idea that could be the solution, but let’s see.”
An Aprilia 1-2 to end Day 1 at the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez 🔥
— MGP1 (@mgp1official) April 28, 2023
MotoGP Legend Dani Pedrosa surprises everyone on Friday and takes P3 in Jerez 📈#MotoGP | #SpanishGP | #MGP1 pic.twitter.com/ftKh1x7Sjc
After the 13th fastest lap in the combined practice times, Bagnaia will first have to fight his way through Q1 on Saturday to get a chance at a pole position fight.
“In any case, I expected a bit more from myself and from my bike. The worst thing is that we missed out on the top ten and the direct Q2 entry,” said Bagnaia, who is in good company.
He will meet World Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi and Americas Grand Prix winner Alex Rins in Q1 on Saturday.
A good starting position is crucial
Bagnaia knows that even on the superior Ducati a good starting position is crucial for a shot at scoring big-time points in the Sprint and Sunday’s race.
“It will be a question of setting a good lap time in the first exit so that we still have two tyres left for Q2. Because on this track it is very important to start at the front, especially for the sprint.”
“But it looks like the soft tyre will not be used in the sprint. At least it’s more important to be at the front of the grid than to have a soft tyre left for the sprint.”
Already last year, the 26-year-old had several problems adapting to the track on Friday. He believes he will still be among the front runners on Sunday, as he did in 2022.
“I am not so worried because I am convinced that my team will do an incredible job to help me. And I will do the maximum to improve and adapt to the bike.”
