Let's Talk MotoGP: Here's Why Pecco Bagnaia Must Make History

Nine. This season, Pecco Bagnaia has won nine Grand Prix MotoGP. No one has done better since Marc Marquez in 2019, granted, but there is something even more interesting. No one has ever lost the title by winning nine races in a season. This sad record currently belongs to Jorge Lorenzo, defeated by Marc Marquez in 2013 despite his eight victories. With only two races left to go, Bagnaia must force destiny to escape this dark outcome.

 

Status quo

 

This weekend was quite eventful and difficult to analyze. Ultimately, what I remember from it is extremely simple: Positions have not really changed since Australia, which is really the last big turning point with a Bagnaia unable to follow Martin. In Thailand, Pecco Bagnaia rode wonderfully well, but so did the "Martinator". Once again without fighting directly, they draw a relatively similar balance sheet, if not for the three small points taken back by the Italian. With four races to go, It's a very slight advantage but it could be important..

 

 

What about the two? Let's separate them for once. First, let's focus on the championship leader, Jorge Martin. Personally, I found him sensational, maybe even more than Bagnaia on a Grand Prix scale. It's been a long time since he surprised me like that. The Australian's momentum continued in the Sprint, especially because he just kept attacking, as if he were the one who had to take points back from the factory Ducati! Martin never holds back, he is a pure attacker. Bagnaia too, it's true, but he didn't have the rhythm to catch up with him.

 

The difference between the good and the great

 

When you listen to old riders – notably Carlos Checa – or legends from different disciplines, Everyone will tell you that it is in the greatest moments of tension that the giants shine.. It is when the atmosphere becomes unbreathable, when each lap becomes infinitely long, when the gap is reduced at the same rate as the number of races remaining that the champions pass a milestone, reach a new level, in short, transcend themselves. This was the case for Martin during the Sprint, he unlocked additional performance thanks to his self-confidence, while he did not necessarily need to take so many risks. On the other hand, Bagnaia did not have this great impulse on the short format, and was, once again, forced to limit himself to third place. It's better than getting knocked out, I agree, but it's not enough to beat Martin..

On Sunday, the Italian reached this milestone. His champion mentality was expressed in all its splendor.. There too, he was magnificent. There was nothing to complain about; finally, I find the Bagnaia so strong with his back to the wall, even if his effort is not so rewarded on the accounting level. Martin, once again, was exceptional, especially in the first moments. This guy is poison : when the lights went out, he was driving as if the championship was decided on these 26 laps only.

 

 

See you in Sepang

 

Both are to be congratulated, but special mention goes to Jorge, as his body language this time was impeccable. I spoke about it after Japan, where it disappointed me, and many of you were surprised, or even did not understand my arguments.. A week later, here he was talking about his psychological feverishness, which had made him suffer so much in 2023. As it happens. If certain details made me wince in Japan, I found Martin much more contained, in his attitude as in his remarks. I also really liked the way he dealt with his alleged exits from the track on Saturday, The humor card is a good option to ridicule the accusations. Besides, he absolutely did not deserve a penalty, it made no sense.Please, let the race management not interfere in the outcome of this championship, which has already been sluggish enough since the start of the season – and ultimately not very intense.

 

Other

 

 

If this season is dominated by Bagnaia and Martin, others have the opportunity to shine, especially when the conditions are right. Rain always reveals greatness, it never betrays. However, before Mother Nature cries in Buriram, Enea Bastianini stood out in the Sprint with a new victory. You might laugh, but "Bestia" reminds me of Dani Pedrosa. In the era of Lorenzo, Rossi and Marquez, Pedrosa won races, but those victories were useless, they didn't add much to the narrative of the season. The performances of the other protagonists were remembered more, even if he was a great driver - by talent.

Marc Marquez was also very good. Rarely has a circuit revealed the difference between the GP23 and the GP24 in this way. During the Sprint, he could do nothing, and had even prepared to finish fourth on Sunday. However, the weather smiled on him and he distinguished himself once again before falling. We can't blame him: These laps behind Bagnaia show that he is still among the best in history. The wet track was enough to completely erase the huge difference between his machine and the officials'. He tried, it didn't work out, that's how it is. After all, he hadn't fallen since the Sprint in Austria. Too bad, however, to have pushed Joan Mir during his crazy comeback, which still ended in 11th place! I still think he will finish third this campaign.

Pedro Acosta was huge, as did Jack Miller and Fabio Di Giannantonio, who failed to achieve the feat of the year for his last appearance in 2024. I was however quite disappointed by Brad Binder, who is usually excellent in the wet. It is rare to see him stuck behind Miller, on the decline since the start of this exercise. Knowing that he was playing for victory last year in Buriram, it's quite surprising..

I'm curious to know what you thought of this Thailand Grand Prix! So, tell me 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