At the end of the tests Pecco Bagnaia had said he wanted and must improve his performance on the flying lap. Said and done, because today in Qatar he was 2nd only to team mate Miller. Ducati showed its muscles on one of the tracks that suits it best and according to the Piedmontese there are no weak points, indeed with the Yamaha the fight is particularly balanced.
“We have a very fast bike on this track, even in the driven sections – has explained – We have an advantage on the forehand and we lose in T3 over them and vice versa. Having said that, I know very well that it is a nice advantage to be able to recover a tenth and a half on the forehand”.
If the tests had already shown the Reds in shape, today there was confirmation.
“What I was hoping and expecting was to have the same sensations also on the race weekend and I feel even better – has continued – I had time to think and I was happy right away. Only with the medium tire on the front we were in trouble, Zarco and Miller went to the ground in FP1 and I ended up in the gravel to save myself from a crash. It’s not a problem though, because we won’t be using that tire on Sunday”.
The question is whether by now, after 5 days of testing and one of testing, they have not reached the limit.
“Believe me, tomorrow you will be amazed by the speed in Q2, if the conditions are good we could lap in 1’52 “for the first time. And I’m not just talking about the Ducatis – he raised – Today it was not important to be first, but I am very happy because I managed to lap in 1’53 ”4 on my first flying lap, usually at the first attempt I was 6 tenths slower. I was improving in the second, but they displayed the yellow flag “.
Bagnaia is also happy with the relationship with Miller.
“Having a fast teammate makes all the difference, because we push each other. In the tests he was stronger on the flying lap but we had a similar pace and even today he managed to cheat me. The nice thing is the climate in the garage, at the end of the shift he came to me and told me that he had seen my lap and that he realized that I was having fun – revealed – I’m happy to have found an atmosphere that I wanted and needed, there is so much tranquility “.
Now you just have to not lose your way and Bagnaia has a plan.
“I asked to weld my bike – he joked – I don’t want to touch anything in the next few days, because I feel good and I know that it is I who can make more of a difference rather than some changes”.
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