Casey Stoner is invited to the Ducati garage for the MotoGP weekend at Phillip Island. The Australian legend therefore applauds Pecco Bagnaia.
The last time that Casey Stoner visited the Phillip Island paddock it was in 2013, when he completed a lap of honor with two other stars and compatriots, Mick Doohan et Wayne Gardner. Since then, the 'MotoGP Legend' had watched the races at home from home, now addicted to a world he had left prematurely and midway through his career. This year he decided to visit friends and former colleagues, stopping again in the garage Ducati to encourage the world championship race of Pecco Bagnaia.
As happened at Portimao 2021, Casey Stoner offers useful advice on settings and trajectories. There is a piece of history at stake, as the former Australian rider is the only one to have given Ducati a MotoGP title in 2007. Fifteen years later, Pecco Bagnaia has the opportunity to reiterate the great feat: “ Clearly Pecco deserves a title,” the two-time world champion told MotoGP.com. » He can win this year, and if he doesn't, I'm sure he'll start fighting again next year. » But now trying is a right and a duty, we must take advantage of the fact that “ at the moment Pecco is in a better position » in the fight for the coronation. “ He has accumulated a huge amount of points since the middle of the season. If Fabio gets some good results he will find momentum and the championship will be difficult for Pecco ».
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Casey Stoner: “ I will always help when the right people ask me »
Alongside the Piedmontese pilot Ducati is Stoner's former team leader, Cristian Gabarrini, which greatly contributed to the personal growth of both. “ I have a lot of respect for Pecco, he is a driver who thinks a lot and who has great respect for other drivers. In addition, his chief engineer is a good friend of mine, he was mine for six years ". The fate of this MotoGP season is in their hands, and Casey Stoner also helps to propel the Emilian company to the top through its presence in the stands.
« For me, it's nice to work with someone who appreciates your help. I will always help when the right people ask me“. Remember that after leaving the MotoGP, he was a Honda test driver until 2015, a collaboration which was interrupted after the Japanese manufacturer preferred to rely almost exclusively on feedback from Marc Marquez. Until 2018, he held the same position for Ducati.
The Family Stoner is the guest of the Italian team on the day of MotoGP qualifying at Phillip Island, their presence is a huge moral encouragement for bagnaia. Not only that, because the Southport champion imparts knowledge from his long experience in the world championship to help Pecco. “ I'm offering my perspective and experience, just giving him some advice. What I want is for him to translate this advice in his own way, to understand what I say to him and then to follow his style and his feelings.. This can sometimes mean a small change in its trajectory or in the way it enters corners and how to properly set up the bike, thinking more about the race than qualifying ».
