Ducati is currently in second place in the manufacturers ‘table, 17 points behind Yamaha, while three of its drivers – Pramacs Johann Zarco and the works team pair Bagnaia and Jack Miller – occupy three of the top four places in the drivers’ title fight.
Zarco is Quartararo’s closest rival on summer break despite having 34 points behind him, while Bagnaia is third overall but 47 points behind the Yamaha rider.
Bagnaia got off to a stormy start in 2021 and took podium places in three of the first four races, but crashed at the top in Mugello and was outside the top four in Barcelona, Sachsenring and Assen.
However, the Italian’s form is a significant improvement over his first two seasons as he currently has 109 points more than his grand total from the tough 2019 and 2020 seasons.
Jack Miller, Ducati team
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
This point leaves him satisfied with the first nine races of his 2021 season, but admits that all hopes for the title fight depend on Ducati taking a step forward with his motorcycle in the second half of the year.
“Yes, that’s exactly why I’m happy,” said Bagnaia about his season so far.
“But we have to take a step because if we want to fight for the title or have a chance to fight for the title, we have to improve.
“I have to improve as a rider and the bike has to improve like the best bikes.
“So we will have a lot to do.
“I will work a lot during the summer break to be prepared, to be better prepared in Austria and I would like to talk to the team a lot to find something that will help us, because at the moment Fabio and Yamaha are one step ahead from us. ”
Last week, teammate Miller told Autosport / Motorsport.com on a trackday in Barcelona that he felt his double race victory form in 2021 and that Bagnaia’s persistence did enough to justify Ducati’s decision to promote both of them to the factory squad this season.