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For Bagnaia to stand on the 3rd step of the podium behind the two Marquez brothers is becoming a bit of a habit and, of course, he does not like it. In the Sprint in Argentina, the script of Thailand was repeated, with Marc and Alex on the run and the Piedmont rider a spectator at a distance. This time, though, Pecco's mood seemed slightly better. "The flavor of this 3rd place is a little different than in Thailand, because Buriram is a circuit that suits my riding style better than Termas, where I always struggled," he explains, "Considering how I had started the weekend, I improved step by step. I'm more satisfied, but it's not what I want."
What is the balance?
"Slowly we are getting closer, but I still need to close the gap. The direction is the right one, but I still lose a couple of tenths from Marc and Alex in two crucial corners, turn 6 and 11. Being close is good, counting on the fact that the prediction for the Sprint was a 6th place for me. So I improved, I was able to be consistent, but I lacked something more. I will try to find it tomorrow."
The prediction was for a 6th place, but what about yours?
"I saw myself as far ahead as I could, I don't just settle for what they tell me. I got a good start, just had a little hiccup on the first lap, but then I was able to follow the two Marquez riders for a while and I saw different things. I have a tendency to go in too sideways in some corners and I lose on the line, but at least I sorted out the first half of the track. They are better in corner entry, especially in the fast ones - Alex at turn 6 is incredible, as is Marc at 11."
What do you expect for tomorrow's race?
"I think I can have something more, but I don't know if it will be enough to fight with them. Right now, Marc and Alex are doing a better job and are faster than me. In the first part of the race I was more in control as I saw their bikes moving a lot, maybe I can stay closer to them, but I don't want to take too many risks. I want to catch up to them safely so I can then attack them and be more aggressive."
Some people claim that this situation is making you nervous.
"Honestly, I'm not nervous at all. I read a lot of things about myself and my team, but honestly I don't care. I am behaving as usual, we are only in the second race of the championship, and I have still finished in 3rd place all the time. I know I have to improve and I know where to act, with patience I will succeed. Nervousness is not something that belongs to me."
Aren't you even worried?
"If we were in the seventh or eighth race I would be, but not right now. I still have a lot of time to sort things, and besides, I knew even before I started the season that the first three races would not be the best for me. I knew I had to be patient and take what would come and then attack."
How do you feel then?
"Mentally I feel strong, I know my potential and I know I can fight with them when I feel comfortable on the bike."
