Francesco Bagnaia has in the Qatar GP the first chance to achieve this year’s MotoGP title. Currently, the Ducati rider has a 14-point advantage over Jorge Martín (Prima Pramac/Ducati), needing to leave Losail with a 37-point lead.
The Italian ensured that he does not see this as a decisive round despite the possibility of already being champion: ‘I am not considering this weekend as a “match point”. I think I have to win 23 points and that is too much. In a single weekend Jorge is doing a really good job and it is more important to think session by session, work like last weekend in Sepang and try to be competitive. We know perfectly well that the asphalt is new and it can be a big unknown for the tires. I think it will be demanding for the tires because it is new. It is a track that I like, we have always been competitive here except last year, which was at the wrong time of the season. The lap record is still mine and I believe that our bike suits this track very well‘.
Questioned about whether the main goal will be to increase his lead before the last race, Bagnaia replied: ‘It might be better because at the moment 14 points, with the championship we are having, is nothing; 37 points every weekend is a lot and you can win or lose many points. It will be important to stay calm, work well and try to do the maximum. Last weekend he [Martín] gained three points on Saturday and then lost four on Sunday. So, it is very balanced and I think it will be another face-off’.
