English
Italiano
Eight races left, 200 points to be won, and 47 points to recuperate. We definitely can’t say that mathematics is on Bagnaia’s and Mir’s side right now. It seems that Marc Marquez is right when he says: “Quartararo could only end up losing this championship. I’d bet on him.” Last year, Fabio managed to throw away a title that seemed to be his by right, but the French rider has changed a lot this season.
If you look at his achievements, you’ll quickly realize that he’s the only rider to have scored points in every race. Moreover, he’s the one who’s won the most (4 times) and gotten the most podiums (7). But there were three problems: in Jerez, he was limited by compartment syndrome, he had a suit problem in Barcelona, while he confirmed his allergy to rain in Austria. In the end, it was only at the Red Bull Ring that he hadn’t measured up to his potential but, as long as the asphalt was dry, he demonstrated that he was fighting against Honda and Ducati in one of the worst circuits for Yamaha.
If we rewind to a year ago, after eleven races, Quartararo had won three, and that was also the number of his podiums. In short, all or nothing. This year for Fabio is completely different, and now that the M1 will have more friendly tracks to ride on (starting with Silverstone this weekend), his mood can only improve.
His opponents won’t give up, but putting him in difficulty won’t be easy. Mir seems to be following the wait-and-see strategy of 2020 but, if the 137 points in eleven races were enough for him to lead the championship last year, he’s far from the French rider with three fewer now. The Suzuki rider has once again built his season on podiums and placings, but against an opponent who misses little or nothing, the plan isn’t working. It’s also true that his GSX-RR only received major updates (rear lowering device) after the summer break, but they have to start winning.
Last year, Joan did it only once, in the third to last race, but he should do it right away and then repeat it this year. He needs to get on the top step of the podium in order to keep the games open, and this applies to Bagnaia as well.
The more the season advances, the more Pecco is carving out the leading role in Ducati, after being affected by Zarco’s consistency and Miller’s exploits at Jerez and Le Mans. The rider from Piedmont has demonstrated that he understood how the Desmosedici should be ridden, even on the most difficult of tracks, but he never managed to hit the big target, even when it seemed expected. For one reason or another: the fall at Mugello, a tire that didn’t work, the rain in Austria, were all wasted opportunities.
So the most surprising fact is that all three of Fabio’s pursuers in the standings (there’s also Zarco at -49) haven’t even won one race.
Bagnaia, on paper, can compete at a speed level with Fabio, but that potential must be transformed into reality, because he can’t hope that bad weather will stop Quartararo.
For Bagnaia and Mir, there are eight last resorts not just one. That’s the same number of races marked on the calendar. Not making a mistake and winning isn’t advice but an obligation.
