“Martín must do something wrong for me to win; I have desires, I would like to be in his place” – Pecco Bagnaia

Francesco Bagnaia has a complicated task during the MotoGP Barcelona Solidarity GP to become champion: he must make up for a 24-point deficit compared to Jorge Martín (Prima Pramac/Ducati). However, he doesn’t feel as much pressure as if he were in the opposite position.

The Ducati rider once again stated that he considers his title depends on his rival’s mistakes: ‘Percentage in this world generally doesn’t work. But Jorge absolutely has to do something wrong for me to win [le titre]. Because even if I win [les courses]he still has a big margin, so he must be doing something wrong’.

According to Bagnaia, despite the pressure, Martín manages well: ‘In 2022, it was my first title and I arrived at the last race with a lead of 23 points, without the Sprint. So my goal was to finish 14th, and I was really under pressure. I finished the race in ninth position, and it’s very difficult to manage. I think he did well because he finished fifth. He almost crashed twice, but he stayed on the track, so I think he did a good job. He tested several tires, and it’s normal to be under pressure when you’re fighting for the title’.

Although he considers himself to be in a more advantageous situation, the Italian admitted that he would like to be in Martín’s position: ‘In my situation, I just have to win, and it’s similar to 2022 when I was coming back from 91 points. When you’re in that situation where you have to win, it’s easier to stay calm because that’s the only way. Right now I feel better, but I have jealousy and I wish I was in his situation’.