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Pecco Bagnaia finished once again behind the two Marquez brothers. As in qualifying and the sprint, today the same thing happened in the race. He tried to follow them and at least tried to bother them, but by his own admission he was "not even close to stopping them." He brought home another placing that doesn't hurt in the standings, but it doesn't do much for the mood either.
"What was I missing? Going harder - was the reply of the Italian rider - I tried, when Alex was in front he was going slower than Marc and I managed to get back under. However, every time I was within half a second, I had to give up and let them go. It happens like that, either you have so much more, like Marc today who was able to stick to Alex, or in the slipstream you struggle. It was a race spent watching them. I wasn't even close to being able to stop them, it was like being at the movies."
What was the spectacle you saw?
"I analyzed how they were riding. I was gaining on the brakes on Alex and he was gaining on the exit on me, Marc, on the other hand, was lifting off like me and coming out of the corners like his brother. The bike tends to be the same as last year's, so I have to figure out why I struggle to have the same feeling."
What is the balance of this first Grand Prix of the year?
"It was a pity, the way this weekend turned out and after testing it's okay, but I can't say I'm satisfied. It's not a question of seeing the glass half full or half empty, I'm simply not happy, and if I were I shouldn't be here because my goal is not to finish 3rd. I had some difficulties, we were a bit behind with with testing and I was not able to do the tests necessary to prepare for the GP, such as those to better understand the front tire. Now I have finished that work and it won't happen again."
Was it a one-way race?
"Marc clearly had more, he was going three or four tenths a lap faster, he was playing with us. Alex, on the other hand, on the pace was slower than me, but he was faster in some key points and it was not possible for me to attack him."
Are the sensations better than in the Sprint?
"Every time I put the bigger tank on I feel better under braking, but today it wasn't enough. I was losing too much in acceleration and in the third sector. I tried to manage the risks and did the best I could."
In hindsight, were you prepared for such a weekend?
"After testing I expected Alex and Marc, along with Bezzecchi and Morbidelli, to be the fastest. Especially Marc, because he had done a race simulation with incredible times. I can't say what problems I had had in testing, but I was not able to adapt to the bike. So on the Friday of this GP I had to finish the job. I took a step forward, but it was not enough to fight for the win."
Would the Bagnaia of 2024 have risked more with the risk of crashing in such a race?
"I don't know (laughs). When I thought about trying today, I was starting to risk a lot because the front was starting to close. I know very well that it's no use winning 11 races if you crash a lot. I knew today would be difficult, I thought about finishing the race, but I don't like this result."
The next two tracks are also favourable for Marquez.
"We know perfectly well that Argentina and Austin are two very good tracks for Marc, we have to work to close the gap. You never know, sometimes I started the weekend and everything is great, but we haven't been to Termas for three years and I can't imagine what condition we will find the track in. I'll have to not lose too many points, if not gain any, then from Qatar will come circuits more in my comfort zone."
How intense was the heat?
"Behind them it was hell, I got blisters on my hands. But in India ,two years ago, it was much worse than here, today it was still acceptable."
