Reigning MotoGP champion Pecco Bagnaia enters the Thailand GP with fire in his eyes, ready to turn his 20-point deficit against rival Jorge Martin into a springboard for his championship comeback. “The track here is perfect for me,” Bagnaia declared with determination, dismissing Phillip Island’s recent struggles as a mere blip on his path to victory.
As the season draws to a thrilling close, with only three races and three Sprints left, Bagnaia knows every point counts. Martin leads, but Bagnaia’s relentless drive and Thailand’s layout give him the edge he needs to regain control. “It’s not a huge disadvantage,” the Ducati rider confidently remarked. “With the new Sprint format, you can recover or lose points quickly. It’s all about staying focused.”
Buriram’s Track: A Perfect Fit for Pecco
This year, Bagnaia believes the Buriram circuit will work in his favor, even though Martin dominated here last season. “I’m not saying he’s not fast here; he raced with precision last year,” Bagnaia noted, “but there are other riders who excel on this track. And with the layout and tire options we’ll be using, I think I’ve got the upper hand.”
The champion’s strategy is simple yet fierce: “I have to do more. My approach won’t change—whether I’m chasing or being chased, the goal remains the same. I’ve been fighting for titles for four seasons now, and I’m ready to push harder than ever.”
Addressing the Tough Topics: Aero Challenges and Iannone’s Return
Bagnaia didn’t shy away from weighing in on recent controversies either. Reflecting on Marco Bezzecchi and Maverick Viñales’ collision in Australia, he highlighted the ongoing challenges of aerodynamic slipstreams in close racing. “These incidents aren’t new—if you’re lined up on your opponent’s path, the slipstream can pull you into trouble. We could discuss it with the Safety Commission, but there’s only so much we can control,” he explained.
And with rumors swirling about Andrea Iannone’s potential comeback to MotoGP as a temporary replacement for Fabio Di Giannantonio, Bagnaia’s thoughts were clear. While excited to see Iannone back on a Ducati, he revealed he had hoped to see rising star Nicolò Bulega get a shot. “MotoGP opportunities are rare; Bulega deserves his chance,” he said. But for Iannone, it will be a thrilling, if challenging, return: “Ducati’s changed drastically since he last rode it. To maximize its power, you have to ride it aggressively, or risk finishing at the back.”
With confidence, experience, and a fighting spirit, Pecco Bagnaia is ready for war in Thailand. Can he reclaim his position as the championship leader, or will Jorge Martin hold him off in the race of a lifetime? One thing’s certain: Bagnaia is here to give it all he’s got.