Let's talk MotoGP: This detail could tip the scales in the championship

This Thai Grand Prix was magnificent, there is no doubt about it. However, we cannot say that it upsets the MotoGP world championship, in particular thanks to the new XXL performance of Pecco Bagnaia on Sunday. Between his magnificent comeback and the demotion of Brad Binder, he manages not to drop too many points to his rival while not being stratospheric; it is also the mark of the greatest. However, one detail regarding his driving style did not escape me; it is almost worrying. Analysis.

 

Pecco Bagnaia had no aces up his sleeve

 

Pecco Bagnaia has always been less strong outside Europe. In MotoGP, he only has two victories in four overseas tours (Sepang 2022 and Mandalika 2023), which contrasts with his domination on the old continent. However, usually, he kept a significant advantage over his opponents; its braking power.

As soon as he loses confidence, his ability to make a difference when braking is impaired. This almost shocked me during the Sprint, when he was unable to overtake a physically weakened Marco Bezzecchi as he approached the last corner. In fact, this becomes a very good indicator; if you see that he is not maximizing his strong point, then it is because he is not in the state of control to which he has accustomed us. 

 

 

The MotoGP championship relaunched?

 

Not for me. Indeed, if we look at the dynamics in detail, Jorge Martín is obviously the strong man at the end of the season. But since his fall in Indonesia, when he was largely leading the event, it is difficult to say that Pecco was not up to the task. He always manages to get things back on track in a few hours. In Thailand, everything was against him again until mid-race on Sunday. His speed in qualifying is no longer so lightning, and his Sprint was laborious as possible. Even its beginning Grand Prix was not incredible, and one could believe in the decline of the reigning champion. But he hung on and delivered a very good performance, which, in my opinion, would have deserved a second place on the line.

In front of my screen, I thought: “if Bagnaia wins this one, then he will be world champion” but indeed, he was beaten in battle against Binder and above all, Martín, for the second time this year after Germany. Finally, when we look at the results after his fall in India, he accumulated a victory and two second places, which is far from damaging in a weak time of his season.

I would say that Jorge Martín did not gain enough ascendancy over Pecco Bagnaia on Sunday to reverse the dynamic for a third time in 2023. The difference between the two performances, more than in the time trial, was not significant enough to draw such conclusions. In my opinion, Pecco remains the favorite even if the course of the season is difficult to read, I grant you that.

 

 

The “almost passing of the century”

 

I have to come back to this. This attempt by Pecco Bagnaia in the last corner a few laps from the end, which got the whole world talking even though it didn't happen. Even if, like Luca Marini, I think it is more of an error than a deliberate maneuver – it gives the impression of braking later because the pads loosen when passing over the kerbs, I want to emphasize the Italian's passing quality as well as that of Jorge Martín for that matter.

 

 

When was the last mistake in a fight between these two thieves? They are impressively effective in this area, even if the “Martinator” is less often exhibited in packages due to its better projection capacity. Although Bagnaia's victories often come from a breakaway, it is rarer for her to start at the first turn, in proportion of course. Thus, he offers us more often the opportunity to see his prowess in duels (Misano 2022, Sepang 2022, Jerez 2023, Assen 2023, Indonesia 2023…).

And you, what do you think of the state of the championship after this Thai Grand Prix? Tell us in the comments!

 

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport