Francesco Bagnaia statement as he Secures Top-Five Finish in MotoGP Thai GP Practice

 

Francesco Bagnaia showcased his resilience during the opening practice sessions for the MotoGP Thai Grand Prix, ultimately securing a commendable fourth-place finish. The Ducati rider concluded the day just 0.195 seconds behind the fastest rider, Marc Márquez of Gresini Ducati, who impressively set a new lap record in Buriram.

Bagnaia began the day with some challenges related to his bike setup, requiring adjustments that impacted his performance. Reflecting on the day, he noted, “For me, yes, in terms of feeling when we finished. We just had a small problem with one of the two bikes during the sessions.” Despite these issues, he remained optimistic about his performance.

The reigning champion highlighted his struggles with adapting to a different setup during the second session, stating that it did not yield the desired results. “I felt good this morning, but this afternoon, as soon as

I had to try a different set-up, the bike wasn’t working well. So, I had to stop,” he explained. After further adjustments, Bagnaia felt he regained his competitive edge, readying himself for the time attack despite not completing a perfect lap.

In contrast to his teammate Enea Bastianini, who faced braking issues, Bagnaia reported no significant setbacks in that department. “For me it’s not an issue. I’m able to brake very hard. We just saw the lap time in data, and I’m braking very hard. So, that’s not a problem for me,” he affirmed. He acknowledged minor shortcomings in specific sectors, particularly at turn 4 and sector 3, but overall felt confident moving forward.

As the weekend progresses, Bagnaia’s ability to adapt and overcome challenges will be crucial as he aims to maintain his competitive momentum. With the talent of riders like Márquez setting the pace, the upcoming qualifying sessions will be pivotal in determining his strategy for the race ahead.