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Over their heads the title fight rages, but they flaunt calm and good manners. Bagnaia and Martin, even with four GPs to go and only 10 points separating them, do not change their attitude. They talk on the track and they don't care to raise their voices when confronted by each other in the opening press conference of the Australian GP.
Acosta, who complained about the lack of a little pepper, tried to tease them with a spicy (but also somewhat obvious) question: whether Ducati will be able to favor Pecco in this final sprint.
The world champion joked, "I hope so!" before turning serious again. "I think if they had wanted to help me they could have already done it by giving me the new chassis I tried in the Misano tests, but it's not ready for everyone and we won't use it. Gigi is always clear and correct about these things, even more so in the last two seasons: the package is the same for everyone. It's a different strategy, but also the one that put Ducati in this position, we are so competitive because of that as well. I don't think anything will change between now and Valencia."
Like Martin, Bagnaia also makes no bones about being often underestimated by the general public, an attitude that Aleix Espargarò has criticized in recent days.
"I don't care what people think because I know what Jorge and I are doing, and it's much better than everyone else - Pecco expressed his idea - We have to consider that there are people who think about the past and not easy to beat the past. For example, here at Phillip Island there is Troy Bayliss and when you think of SBK you think of the battles of yesteryear. However, now to make the difference more difficult. In MotoGP we had Stoner drifting at every corner, Valentino sliding the bike on corner entry, now we all do the same thing: we try to accelerate as best we can, brake hard and it's harder to see the difference. I think it's more complicated to understand what we do. What Jorge and I did in Motegi is something out of this world considering the pace we kept. I don't care what people think, sometimes it's like talking to a wall."
Motorcycle racing has changed and with it the bikes. It is no longer enough to just open the throttle and squeeze the brake lever.
"Essentially there are two things to do today on a MotoGP," Bagnaia continued, "The first is to operate the downshift, but it's something you get used to, it becomes like braking and accelerating. The second is to change the maps, in some tracks you don't do it, in others you have to do it often also to control the fuel consumption. There are more things to manage and sometimes they can distract you. Another thing that can be distracting are the messages on the dashboard, because they don't always appear in the straights. Like when they signal you the track limit and you see a yellow light maybe under braking, you worry because it could be something else."
One thing, however, is always the same: the tension that comes with fighting for a World Championship. managing it is harder than controlling all the devilry installed on the bike.
"What I feel and what I've understood is that it's not mandatory to be leading the championship right now - is Bagnaia's attitude - If it happens it will happen, but gaining or losing a few points this weekend is not a problem, because I realize that it will end in Valencia. It will be very complicated to close it before that. I will try to get the maximum, even if it will be a 2nd place, however I also know I have the potential to win and I will try to do it to gain some points like in Thailand."
Martin is a well-known opponent; this is the second year in a row that Pecco has to contend with him.
"The biggest difference from last season is that Jorge started the championship better. He was always leading the standings, except after the Qatar, Sachsenring and Aragon GPs, but even in those cases I was only a few points ahead of him. He has been more consistent than me, but I think what has made him improve is his awareness, now he knows he can win and that makes a big difference, I experienced it on my skin too - Pecco underlined - If we look at the mental aspect, we won't understand our situation until we get to the end. I think I'm less nervous than in the past, but it's normal to feel pressure and you have to fight against that as well."
At Phillip Island, another opponent will be the weather.
"I was talking about it before with Jorge, the most difficult thing will be to understand the tires because it seems we won't have many sessions in the dry to try them thoroughly. Last year's soft and medium, even without the new asphalt, was a bit on the limit. Also we will have two different carcasses, one will be the one used in Indonesia. Then the conditions: tomorrow it looks like it will rain, Saturday will be windy, Sunday will be dry but cold. At least the new asphalt looks good."
Neither Bagnaia nor Martin have ever won in Australia.
"I had a chance in Moto3, in Moto2 it was a disaster, in MotoGP I came close in the last two years, but I didn't succeed - Pecco recalled - I will try this year, but always thinking about the championship, without taking too many risks, it would already be a great thing to succeed here in Australia."
The last unknown factors are the possible deciding factors, those riders who could meddle in the fight by taking points away from one or the other. Like Acosta, Marquez and Bastianini.
"In Indonesia no one expected Pedro's performance, in Motegi yes, because that track is good both for him and for the Ktm - was Pecco's reflection - He fought for his first victory, we know his potential and it seems to me he has regained confidence. Also, Phillip Island is a good track for everyone, where the bike makes less of a difference and it is difficult to see someone open a gap. Then there is the challenge for 3rd place between Marc and Enea. I think it will be as fair as it was in Japan. It is always spicy, it will be good, plus Bastianini and Marquez are strong enough to fight against us. I think their battle will be mixed with ours."
