Francesco Bagnaia Criticizes MotoGP Riders Over Qualifying Tactics as he says MotoGP riders need to lead by example, not look for a tow
Francesco Bagnaia Criticizes MotoGP Riders Over Qualifying Tactics
Francesco Bagnaia, the reigning MotoGP World Champion, has expressed his frustration regarding the behavior of some riders during qualifying sessions.
His comments follow an eventful afternoon at the British MotoGP, where his disappointment became evident after the sprint race.
Bagnaia, who has previously voiced concerns about the post-Q2 antics of some riders, took his criticism further after the sprint race. He highlighted his dissatisfaction with riders relying on tactics like drafting or towing, which he feels undermine the integrity of the sport.
“We are the best riders in the world,” Bagnaia declared. “We are here because we can perform well on our own. Our 
For what? For a tenth or two-tenths of a second? It’s better to focus on our own performance rather than relying on following someone.”
Bagnaia criticized the lack of focus that comes with depending on others for faster lap times. He pointed out that such tactics detract from the rider’s concentration on improving their own performance. The Ducati rider shared an example from the British MotoGP, where he noticed the prevalence of tow-seeking behavior even among lower-tier Moto3 riders.
“Today, I intentionally slowed down and entered my final attempt 30 seconds after the last riders, only to overtake them by corner four,” Bagnaia recounted. “It’s ridiculous, both for the riders and the spectators. Moto3 riders are showing that a tow is more important to them right now because they see us setting this example.”
Despite his frustrations with qualifying tactics, Bagnaia managed to secure a front-row start, although his race did not go as planned.
In the sprint race, he struggled after falling at turn four on lap four. Reflecting on the incident, Bagnaia admitted to making a mistake.
“I made an error, honestly,” Bagnaia explained. “All weekend, I was fast in corner four, entering it aggressively. On this lap, I misjudged my line and was too close to the apex. I anticipated the entry and lost the front.”
Adding to his difficulties, Bagnaia faced issues with the rear device not engaging properly during the start, which affected his performance in the opening corners.
Despite a strong comeback, he crashed again in corner four, ultimately ruining his chances for a strong finish.
Bagnaia’s comments and performance underscore the ongoing debates within MotoGP regarding rider strategies and race tactics, and his call for a return to individual performance highlights the evolving dynamics in the sport.
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