Francesco Bagnaia has been losing a lead in the MotoGP World Championship that was once in the tens of points, but is now only 13 points – after retiring from the Indian GP. Óscar Haro spoke about the current form of the Ducati Italian.
In statements to Paddock TV, the former head of LCR Honda argued that tire pressure regulations have affected the reigning champion more: ‘I think Pecco Bagnaia has had problems with tire pressures [since Barcelona, and Jorge Martín and Marco Bezzecchi not so much. And that’s a risk for him, because he knows that, for example, if Bezzecchi gets ahead, he can say “goodbye” to him. Beating Jorge Martín could also pose a very big risk. Pecco is not doing well or happy with this pressure limit, and when he’s attacking and the temperature rises, he has problems, because now you have to think about the championship and it’s not worth getting a third place‘.
Although he recognizes the merit of Bagnaia and Ducati, Haro considers that the current World Championship leader does not make as much of a difference as Marc Márquez and Valentino Rossi: ‘For me, Pecco is the number one in the championship this year. If he has everything in place, the way he rides the bike is scary. I think a World Championship is not won by the strongest on track, but by the strongest mentally. I don’t want to take away credit from Pecco or Ducati, but he is not a Marc Márquez or a Valentino Rossi. He is very strong, but he doesn’t make an incredible difference‘.
