Let's talk MotoGP: Bagnaia is not perfect, and fortunately for us

The German Grand Prix has just ended with another victory for the official Ducati. With four successes in the last four rounds, he is in one of the best periods of his career but nevertheless, the battle for the title is still very much alive. Finally, fortunately Pecco Bagnaia is not perfect.

 

A two-way half-season, but Bagnaia priority

 

The title of this article, deliberately a little provocative, is entirely self-explanatory. Since the start of the year, I have maintained that Pecco Bagnaia is by far the best driver. During certain periods, Jorge Martin proved to be better, it's true, and we must not rewrite history to his disadvantage just because of a loss from the front. Without it, he would have crushed the German GP. But if we take everything into account, for me, Bagnaia is above and that is what I have always maintained in this column.

Now, why doesn't he lead the championship by a wide margin? He is only 10 points ahead of the “Martinator”. Because of his mistakes – accompanied by a bit of bad luck like during the Sprint in Jerez, hit by Binder – and fortunately for us that they exist. Without the panache of Bagnaia, the season would be much more boring from a jousting for the crown perspective.

 

 

This is why I am so admiring of this pilot, who never stops pushing, who is never conservative. Again at the Sachenring, he never gave up in the Sprint or in the race, resisting Enea Bastianini well in the short format, and never letting up while he was left behind by Martin. We can extend this observation to Jerez, during this battle with Marquez, to Portimao, too, when he did not want to give anything to his eight-times titled counterpart.

This explains the nature of its falls, and why our season is so lively. Imagine a world where a driver of Pecco Bagnaia's talent would ride more intelligently, not to say that he would play grocery store. Let me tell you that we would be bored at the championship! So let's enjoy its imperfections while there's still time.

The proof in a few figures. The Italian champion is only ten points ahead even though he counts six wins in nine races and that his closest competitor only won twice during the Sunday events. Apart from these successes, it counts two Sprint victories, two fewer than Martin, which means the clash is more one-sided on Sunday than it is on Saturday. During the three Grands Prix during which he did not win, he achieved a third place close to victory – at Le Mans, a fifth place which completed an average weekend on the Austin side, and a fall in Portugal while he was competing for the podium. He dominates.

 

 

He enjoys a lead of 56 points over Marc Marquez, third, and 67 points over his teammate Enea Bastianini while both also made a very good start to the year. It's impressive.

 

Luck of champions

 

Everything is going well for him. Like the most illustrious champions, he is in a prosperous period, where everything seems to be going well. Martin's fall goes in this direction. Nothing can happen to him: even when he seems beaten, a combination of circumstances comes to his aid. This reminds me of Valentino Rossi in the 2000s., or to Marc Marquez more recently, he who seemed to save all his mistakes on the track – even during a final in Valencia in 2017.

It's simply because the greatest pilots put themselves in situations where they can benefit from a helping hand from fate. Since the end of 2022, Pecco Bagnaia has played to win every time Grand Prix, roughly speaking. Inevitably, once or twice, fate will be on his side. The same for Lewis Hamilton when he dominated everything in the 2010s, or Max Verstappen since 2022. Being always in front also serves that purpose, not just to prove your consistency in performance.

 

 

Dynamics is on his side

 

Lack of luck for him; there will be no Grands Prix for a month. In terms of dynamics, everything works in its favor as well, there is no doubt. He is significantly better than Martin, who absolutely should not let Bagnaia get married with such peace of mind on July 20. It's a failure, but these three weeks can also be used for the "Martinator". In full physical and mental preparation, he will be able to readjust his sights and come back even stronger. It is during the overseas tour, where the races will come one after the other, that Pecco should not be given so much confidence. Because in three weeks synonymous with three rounds, the championship could change.

I will come back to Jorge Martin's weekend later because there is a lot to say, as well as the situation in the championship. What did you think of Pecco Bagnaia in Germany? Tell us in the comments!

As a reminder, this article only reflects the thoughts of its author, and not of the entire editorial team.

 

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport