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Andalusia evokes only good memories for Bagnaia, who has won the last three GPs at Jerez. It is a friendly track, the right one on paper to get out of the difficulties that have not allowed him to express himself at his best in this early part of 2025. Pecco knows that what he has done so far is not enough, especially against a Marc Marquez back in cannibal mode, much like the one he sported in his best days.
"It's always nice to come back to Europe, you feel more at home and I like it a lot - smiles Bagnaia - Fortunately, this circuit is also very good for our bike, so I can't wait to start. We will have to understand what the track conditions will be after the disaster that happened two months ago, but I am very happy to ride here. The last three editions of this GP have all been different, but last year's win was very intense because Marc was strong and the battle in the last laps was great. I think this time it will be different because his competitiveness has increased, I will be the one who will have to step up."
Do you feel or put yourself under examination at a track where you have won so much?
"The truth is that I want more and more at the level of sensations, I want to have a chance to fight to win. In this beginning of the season I have been more consistent, in fact I have more points, but I am trying to have better sensations. For my part, I don't feel under examination, I'm trying to do my best knowing that the potential is there to be able to win. I am perhaps being put under more examination by external events."
Do you talk about what happens off the track?
"If my words were not mispronounced, I would live it the same way I always do: not caring about it. It bothers me more, though, when my declarations are changed. In any case, it's all very exaggerated, we live in an age where social media seems to be put first and everything is questioned. It 's already happened, with Marc, with Valentino, and it's a pity that it's like this because the value shown on the track is the only thing that matters and you should stick only to that."
So you have to think about how to beat Marquez.
"I think I can fight for victory, I think I have enough potential to do it. The reason I haven't done it so far is that I've struggled to feel good, while Marc was in a fantastic state of form and did everything perfectly. We all know his potential and to beat him you have to be a step in front, I'm working to achieve that."
What would it mean to succeed this weekend?
"I don't know, I think Marc is in a situation where he knows he can finish also 2nd without risking too much, but he's a rider who doesn't want to finish 2nd. I'm here to try, if I win it's also because the improvements we've made are starting to work. I just have to focus on the weekend and, if I have the chance, will try to beat him."
Last year, Jerez changed the face of your season.
"This GP was an important turning point because after that I won four races in a row, finding myself better and better. I hope the same thing happens, however, in the race season it was a technical change that made me better. Now, however, the bike is at a very high level and what Marc did was to take it to a higher level. We are trying to close that gap, especially in the left-hand corners."
Tardozzi said that Marquez is the king of Ducati and you are the prince?
"Considering his age, it's normal that Marc is the king! (laughs)."
Do you think the rivalry between the brothers could be ignited?
"They are brothers and they are fighting for an amazing objective, to win the title. Alex is doing a fantastic job to equalize the performance in every weekend and Marc is the one who has felt better in the last few races, winning them. In terms of points they are close, but I don't think they will start to argue with each other because they are brothers. Maybe they will discuss it at home, continuing to be professionals on the track. I don't think either of them will do something stupid if the other has a chance to win."
I don't know about brothers, but you have Academy teammates on your side.
"Without being brothers, we have been working together for ten years now, every day in training, and we also help each other on race weekends when we can. It's something that has made us grow, to improve faster."
Ducati could equal Honda's record 22 consecutive wins on Sunday.
"The bike is going perfectly and so are its riders, so I think Ducati has the best package and can continue like this until the rule change, or at least that's the hope."
Curious that Jerez has become a friendly track for the Rossa, isn't it?
"The trend has changed in 2020, when the same bike that never worked well at this track started to do so. It was my second season and we started working on details, I was using a completely different engine brake setting than Dovizioso and started to be competitive, I was 2nd in the race before the engine failure. Sometimes, it's more about the rider and adaptation than changing the bike that makes more difference."
So there will be no revolutions in Monday's testing?
"In Ducati everyone can use the parts they prefer, but these are details, small things that Marc or I prefer. On Monday, for testing, we will have some important things to try and then we will see which ones we will use in Le Mans. However, I'm in a situation where I don't want to change too much because first I want to get back to fighting in the top positions, without risking not feeling comfortable."
Are there also any ideas for improvement in the Sprints?
"We have quite clear what the situation is in the Sprints and we are trying to solve it. Ducati has brought something here that will be able to help me and I will try to use it as early as tomorrow morning."
What do you think of Vinales' penalty in Qatar?
"The rules are rules and you have to stay under the limit put by Michelin for safety. It is true that years ago we raced with the same tires with lower pressures, but I think the Qatar limit was already very low and you could stay there without penalizing performance."
