Francesco Bagnaia did an exclusive interview with Motorcycle Sports before the Catalunya GP. The Italian rider talked about many aspects of his personal life and his way of thinking, training, racing, and facing the obstacles that appear during his career. He also added, about the new rules and gave his opinion, also commented on what he expects from this season and talked about his rivals, Marc Márquez and Jorge Martín.
Journalist
How do you see the championship so far? You have two great adversaries, Jorge Martín and Marc Marquez. Do you think the story will be different if Marc Marquez has the GP24?
Francesco Bagnaia
I think it is one of the most enjoyable championships in a long time, in recent years. I believe that more competitiveness means more fun. So, I am happy that we have regained the feeling that we lost a little in the second race of the championship, but in the last two races we have been very competitive and fast. Therefore, I think everything is quite balanced. Martín, at the moment, is the one who is more competitive and faster on Saturdays. So, we have to reduce that difference a bit, but on Sundays we are all there. So, it will be good to continue like this and see what happens. Regarding Mark with the GP24, I think the level and results can be the same. The difference between the 23 and the 24, honestly, is not that big, as people are saying, they are very similar, for sure the 24 has a different potential in some areas, but it is very balanced and it is possible to be fast at the same level, in different ways, but in the same way, with the same lap time.
Journalist
For 2027, with the new rules, are you excited or do you have any concerns about what is coming in terms of engines?
Francesco Bagnaia
Honestly, I love the speed and the bikes we have now. Surely there will be a decrease in performance and that is not something that makes me happy, because I think we are at the top, at the maximum level of motor sports and it’s great to have this kind of performance and to reduce it a bit is something that does not please me, but I am very curious to try it out, for sure the engineer will find a way to have a very fast bike, the same with less weight, so it will be good.
Journalist
Regarding your teammate, I know that, for you, what you just said in the past doesn’t matter who it is, it’s whoever the team chooses. But who would be the most comfortable teammate to have between Bastianini, Jorge or Marc?
Francesco Bagnaia
As I said before, I don’t care. It’s not my job. My job is to beat them all. So, whoever it is, it will be the same.
Journalist
I work in lifestyle, so it’s a bit different. Nowadays, you’re seen as a new kind of rockstar. I mean, you’re cool, you’re famous, you win championships, you have your style. How do you see yourself nowadays?
Francesco Bagnaia
Honestly, honestly, something I love. Brands, I love this kind of work, but it’s not 100% me. I love tennis, that’s true. I love tennis. All kinds of tennis. I’m more low profile and at home I can try different things, but when I’m here I prefer to wear a Ducati shirt and be completely tipped.
Journalist
And the Italian style?
Francesco Bagnaia
I’m just following my girlfriend’s rules, so I don’t choose anything.
Journalist
It often says that he is a very normal type. What does that mean in this kind of world?
Francesco Bagnaia
Surely it is something that people prefer, more aggressive or more American. I don’t, I never swear. I prefer to stay like this because I know my potential. My only goal is to beat them all, all of them. I don’t want to do it with words. I prefer to do it with facts. Not everyone likes it, but I don’t mind. I prefer to be like this. I am also very regular in my life at home. But I love it. I prefer and would like to always stay like this.
Journalist
He seems very competitive. Also in your life?
Francesco Bagnaia
Very. Too much. My girlfriend doesn’t want to have any kind of argument with me because, even when we have to go up the stairs, I want to get there first, as always, like a child. So I am like that and she knows, but all the things we do are like that, we all train together with the other guys from the academy and it’s always the same, we want to be the first in many things we do and it’s not easy to manage every day of our lives.
Journalist
I read that you really like cooking. It’s like a great chef. What is your next step in terms of cooking? What are you trying to do?
Open a restaurant. In Italy and maybe a franchise. Worldwide, always competitive. But I will not be the chef because I have to focus on all activities.
Journalist
Tell me about your feelings since your last race here in 2023. Because the moment will come, the moment of decision, when you will have the accident. I don’t want to talk about it, but, once again, I have to talk about the emotions you will leave in that specific moment trying to win, that is, your mental strength in that specific decision?
Francesco Bagnaia
Yes, it was very difficult. I was 66 points ahead in my second championship. Everything was working perfectly. I was very strong, I was fast. In every session I was in the lead and then here I was opening the gap, because in the sprint race I was ahead of my opponent, who was Martin, and in the Sunday race I had one of the worst or the worst crash of my career. It was tough, the incident was very scary, but I had already fought with it last year. This season I am not thinking about it, I think this accident will not affect this race weekend. Also because I love this track, so it’s one of my favorites, it’s one of the most characteristic on the calendar. The only problem is the low grip level, but that’s something everyone can say. So, it’s in the past and I want to focus only on this season.
Journalist
You told me that you are almost married, that you have a wife and that you will probably have children. You are starting to think about having a restaurant, building a family outside the racetrack. Tell me about the feelings you have when you are trying to overtake an athlete, when you are trying to make that turn in the accident, those dead feelings, it is that feeling that will confuse you in the challenging moment of trying to pass someone, trying to win the race, do you understand? What are the conflicting feelings? It is a pride to win, to show friends and family that we are here to show ourselves that we are still one of the guys who want to win many things, do you understand? What is the mix of feelings? Francesco Bagnaia I am very good at separating things. Honestly, when I am racing, I am racing. I don’t care about anything else. I am focused and I want to race first. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose, but the most important thing is to always be present and fight for the top positions. Then, at home, the story is different. Of course. It’s normal. I am young because I am 27 years old and I am getting married in two months. It is normal to think and dream about our private life. But I am fully focused on what I am doing. I won the last two championships. I won, I am here fighting to win the third consecutive one and I will always give my best to achieve my goals. At the moment, this is very important because it is something for me, something for Ducati, and it is a dream. Journalist Is it a legacy that you will leave to your family and yourself?Francesco Bagnaia
No doubt. That’s why it’s important to keep doing what I’m doing, working hard every day to be ready.
Journalist
Do you work with a mental coach or something like that?
Francesco Bagnaia
No, because I am very critical of myself. I always want more from myself. My coach is very good at bringing out the best in me and helping me grow and improve. So, it’s something I don’t need.
Journalist
How do you manage to stay motivated after a tough race?
Francesco Bagnaia
Because when I have a tough race, it’s even easier to feel motivated to get a better result in the next race. Honestly, after Le Mans, I wasn’t disappointed because I was there fighting for the win and then I lost the position and ended up in third. So, when I finish third or second, with the potential to win, I get very angry with myself and try to analyze everything in the best possible way to improve and be better in the next race.
Journalist
What has been the best moment of your career so far? Don’t tell us the next one!
I won the first championship in 2018, the first victory in Moto3, then the first championship on my return and the championship in 2022. Last year, what happened here in Barcelona was one of the worst moments, but also one of the most important. So, I have many things in my head that helped me improve.
Journalist
Do you watch any other sports in your free time? Do you have a favorite sport?
Francesco Bagnaia
Formula 1. I love Formula 1, I watch everything about Formula 1, Formula 3, Formula 2. I am a big fan of 4 wheels. I really like the races, the sessions, the strategies. Formula 1 is my second favorite sport.
Journalist
Who is your favorite athlete? Do you have one?
Francesco Bagnaia
Valentino Rossi. He is like Peter Pan, do you know Peter Pan? He is always young. Because of his mentality, you can tell he always wants more.
Journalist
On the morning before the race, are you 100% focused on the race or are you trying to relax with something else?
Francesco Bagnaia
No, during the race weekend I don’t try to relax. I just want to be under pressure. I love being under pressure because it’s something not everyone can feel. So, it’s a privilege and it’s right to have pressure to motivate ourselves and try to improve. But during the race weekend, Sunday morning is the toughest, because we have to be prepared for warm-up and then we have the drivers’ parade. There are many things to do before the race. It’s great.
Journalist
What is your favorite food to eat after the race?
Francesco Bagnaia
Pasta, pasta anytime.
Journalist
Which do you think is more risky to win? Formula 1, although it is different, four wheels and two wheels, but which do you think takes more risks? More balls. I apologize, my French. Between MotoGP and Formula 1?
Francesco Bagnaia
There are differences, many differences. But I think that, in terms of risk, MotoGP is much higher because we have two wheels, so it’s easier… We have the same speed in both, right? We have to say that Formula 1 is much faster. Not on the straight, but in the corners it’s a different story. But they are closed in a cup, so the risk is high, because the impact they sometimes have is huge, but less risky because there is less risk of breaking a collarbone, breaking a radius wrist, the risk is quite deep. I think it’s more on a bike, but the balls are the pot case, very large balls, huge.
