Jakarta –
Francesco Bagnaia is firmly at the top of the 2023 MotoGP standings. But in the German MotoGP 2023, Bagnaia was smoked by the Ducati satellite team racer, Jorge Martin.
In the process of racing at the Sachsenring Circuit, Germany, last Sunday (18/6), Bagnaia had a duel with Jorge Martin. In the final round, Bagnaia was caught by Martin with only a difference of 0.064 seconds.
Bagnaia admitted that he had tried everything but he couldn’t beat Martinator. Even though they lost, Bagnaia was still satisfied to finish as runner up.
“The fact is I’m still happy with the race, but not with the race result. I tried to take a risk on the last lap, it reminded me of the fight with Enea (Bastianini) at the Misano race, that’s good, I want to continue like this. If my attitude changes then means something is wrong,” said Bagnaia quoted from GPOne, Tuesday (20/6/2023).
He said he had speed but there was no space to overtake Jorge Martin. Even though the strategy is to be at the forefront from the start of the race to create a distance with other racers.
“I tried to be at the front to make the distance, but it was quite difficult because of the area behind (bike) and he (Jorge Martin) kept pressing. When Jorge was leading, I was just thinking about staying close to him and getting a chance to overtake, but I didn’t have a place to overtake him. I’m happy because I gave everything,” said Bagnaia.
Jorge Martin, who performed well in the Sprint Race and Main Race MotoGP Germany 2023, made Bagnaia joke that if Ducati wanted to defend the title, they had to implement a team order.
“If he gets too close, I’ll ask for a team order!” Bagnaia joked.
Currently, Pecco Bagnaia is being followed by Ducati riders. The difference in points is also thin, Bagnaia leads with 160 points, second place is occupied by Jorge Martin with 144 points, and Marco Bezzecchi closes in third place with 126 points.
Bagnaia’s request for a team order was just a joke. In fact, he doesn’t like the team order option. He can fight on his own merits, and the factory team backing him. Bagnaia doesn’t need help to complete the MotoGP world title with a team order, even from a Ducati satellite team.
“The battle with a factory or an independent team is always the same. Ducati’s strategy is to provide the best support to all the teams, and I think the key to our success is that we can continue to grow. There are definitely pros and cons, but it’s the best way to move forward,” he said.
“I don’t want a team order, last year, Enea could win, and I don’t even want a team order now. I don’t need help, I know my potential,” he blurted out.
Watch Video “Winning the Italian MotoGP, Bagnaia Stay Away from Bezzecchi in the MotoGP Standings”
(riar/lth)
