Maybe this is the right time, although the conditional is a must. Bagnaia left Misano after testing with a flame of hope. The fear was that the winds of Motegi might extinguish it. For now, that hasn't happened. First time in free practice, 7th in pre-qualifying: Friday in Japan promoted at the end of the day and Pecco enjoys this small injection of confidence. Although for definitive proof he will have to wait at least until tomorrow.
"The day started off in the right way, I felt good immediately - he finally found his smile again - What I tried in the Misano test helped me enough. This afternoon I had some bad luck with some details of the bike and lost 15 minutes at the beginning of the session. Then I started again and it was pretty good, but I wasn't good enough in the second time attack, lost a little time here and there, went a little long in turn 7. But, all in all, the day was very positive - like other Fridays this season, it was even better in Austria. So, feet on the ground and let's see how it evolves tomorrow."
What did you try in that test?
"Several things, all material we already had but hadn't had a chance to test thoroughly during the season. Misano is a track with a lot of grip and the difference was not big, at Motegi there is less and I feel even better."
So you had already used those parts?
"I already had them in Malaysia and Thailand, but then I had taken them off. The test at Buriram had been a bit pointless for me, because I was slow, then in the Jerez and Buriram ones it was a little bit better, but Misano was the first real test."
Does Marc Marquez use the same material as you?
"Not all of it."
What made the difference today?
"Being able to find myself good immediately. I was able to ride smoothly, with enough confidence, and I was able to try to push harder and harder."
Are you more optimistic?
"Today yes, let's see tomorrow (laughs)."
Did you solve your braking problems?
"I felt good, I was able to brake well. I did a little comparison with last year's free session, and today I was braking a little bit harder. Like in 2024, I was first in the first round and seventh in the second, hopefully that bodes well."
Will you now ban your team from making any changes on the bike?
"Other times this year I said so, then in qualifying and the race I struggled. We remain calm, but still I don't let them touch anything."
Can you begin to hope for a podium?
"Tomorrow the goal is to be in the top five, even in qualifying, I will try."
Do you like the new front tyre brought by Michelin?
"We already had this hard tyre at other tracks, it's not completely new, if it's going to be very hot it can help. However, they have also taken a step forward with the choice of other compounds, last year we were a bit on the limit."