It cannot be said that Bagnaia likes predictable races. After his terrific comeback in Portimao, he put in another one today at Le Mans: 16th on the grid, 19th after two laps and finally 4th at the finish. It was a great achievement, but one that did not allow him to maintain the lead in the World Championship, which again went to Quartararo, by just one point.
“It was a very long race, but it was also fun – commented Pecco – Of course I’m a little worried about fourth place, but overall I only lost 3 points to Fabio and I’m very satisfied. “
How was your first flag-to-flag race?
“Fun, but most of all, the bike swap saved me. Something was wrong with the dry run on which I started, I think the clutch. I’d already had some strange sensations on Friday, but we didn’t know what it was when we didn’t do many laps in the dry. So I prayed that it would start raining ”.
And your wish was granted …
“Yes, it’s a shame that I made a mistake when I entered the pit lane at 3 km / h more than allowed and had to take two long-lap penalties. In the wet, however, I knew I was fine, and in the end I was a little lucky in this crazy race. I’m happy because last year I struggled under these conditions and I can only be happy ”.
Is there a secret behind your comebacks?
“In Moto3 I did some very big ones because the Mahindra wasn’t very good in qualifying while it was never in Moto2. I can do that with the Ducati and it’s nice, but I was happier in Portimao because it’s more difficult in the dry. “
However, if you start over, you have a better chance of winning …
“I’m thinking about it and we’re working to make sure that it doesn’t happen that I start this far back. These races are definitely a lesson to me. But I was unlucky here: I found a bad tire in FP2, it rained in FP3 and the conditions in qualifying were difficult. The most important thing when certain things happen is to be able to react and still be in the top 5. Today was great, I felt great. I know Jack won with two penalties like me, but I’m happy ”.
What is it like to have such a tough teammate? Wouldn’t a Bottas be better?
“Bottas is not there to finish second either, but Hamilton is the strongest of them all. I am happy to have Jack as my team-mate because he drives me to improve and also that many Ducatis are up front. It’s an incentive and also allows you to compare your data, it makes everything easier. So we’re all rivals on the track, there are 21 drivers to beat.
Quartararo is now leading the championship, but you are only one point behind …
“I’m still not used to sitting in these positions in MotoGP. It’s nice to be up front after a weekend like that, I feel good with both the bike and the team, but I don’t really think about the title. I think things will only take shape after Misano.