Francesco Bagnaia was the fastest in the MotoGP tests in Sepang, when early on the last day he completed a devastating lap in 1m56.682s.
Although pleased with the performance in that lap, the Italian from Ducati also downplayed its significance: ‘I was obviously happy because it is an incredible lap time made only on my first attack on the stopwatch of the season. It was great, but it’s a test and the conditions were fantastic, so it was the best time to attack the stopwatch and I’m certainly happy. But I’m someone who doesn’t think too much about a good performance during a test. It’s better to see consistency with used tires‘.
Asked if he is back to his best level in terms of fast laps, Bagnaia replied: ‘I think in the final part of last season – maybe in the last four races – my feeling was back. Attacking the stopwatch has always been one of my best points. At home it’s impossible to improve, but honestly at the Ranch maybe you can attack the stopwatch or with a kart, but what you feel with the MotoGP is different and everything came naturally. I just attacked as in an attack on the stopwatch and the lap time [emerged]’
