The 2024 Malaysian Grand Prix was marked by a small controversy between Andrea Iannone and Alvaro Bautista. The Italian rider, returning to MotoGP after a suspension, claimed to have been faster than Bautista during his wild card in 2023. A statement which did not leave the double Superbike world champion indifferent…
Andrea Iannone closed the
2024 Malaysian Grand Prix with a penultimate place, just in front Lorenzo Savadori. After five years away from the MotoGP circuits, it was predictable that he would struggle to find his rhythm. Despite this, the rider from Abruzzo tried to take advantage of this opportunity offered by the Pertamina Enduro VR46 team, replacing
Fabio Di Giannantonio.
After the race, Iannone shared his thoughts on the physical difficulty of piloting modern prototypes. “ Doing those 19 laps was really tiring. Already on the fifth lap, my arms were hurting. I ran the whole race in survival mode. One lap I was slow, then the next I pushed and so on. The goal was to finish the race “, he said, highlighting the challenges he had to face.
More Iannone did not hesitate to compare his performances to those ofAlvaro Bautistawho also participated in the Malaysia as a Wild-card the previous year. “ I was 15 seconds faster than Bautista last year with an almost identical bike », affirmed Iannoneadding that the Spaniard had had time to adapt, while he was still packing his bags to go to Sepang.
Alvaro Bautista: « I'm three seconds faster…and injured »
Bautistalearning of his colleague's comments, quickly responded. “ Actually, I was two minutes faster than him…with one lap less. If you take a turn out of my time to do 19
like him, I am three seconds faster… and injured “, he retorted, recalling that he had suffered an injury during Superbike testing at Jerezwhich had affected his performance at Sepang.
The two-time Superbike World Champion also added that he raced with a hernie cervicalewhich further complicated his physical condition. He concluded by emphasizing that comparisons between him and
Iannone based on their performance
Sepang did not make sense and that it was better to concentrate on the next seasons and the spectacle that they could offer in the SBK championship.
This slight verbal clash between Iannone et
Bautista could turn into a healthy rivalry, provided they both find their form and rhythm on the track.
Qualifications : Bautista 1’59.418 – Iannone
1’58.183
Sprint : Bautista 20’35.214 (10 tours) – Iannone 20’15″128
(10 tours)
Course : Bautista 40’52.701 (20 tours) – Iannone 38’52”.162
(19 tours)
