Enea Bastianini can be sportingly happy with his 2022 MotoGP season, even if, for the moment, he is not yet economically satisfied with this final podium bonus that he still has to collect. He intends to achieve this objective at the end of a Valencia Grand Prix, the irony of which is that, for this time, he will be able to achieve victory without the slightest brake. Because it would thus deprive the 25 points that Fabio Quartararo absolutely needs to consider keeping his crown. He would thus provide a good service to his future teammate in 2023, Pecco Bagnaia, with whom he sees the future in the same box...
No offense to Jorge Martin, Enea Bastianini was not chosen by chance or following national sensitivity by Ducati to wear his red clothes instead of Jack Miller next to Pecco Bagnaia. We will indeed remember that this year it counts four victories (Losail, Austin, Le Mans, Aragon) and two podiums (Misano and Sepang) which are already an excellent calling card to enter the Ducati factory.
Furthermore, to play strong heads and with the nerves of the staff Ducati at the end of the campaign where the drivers' world title is still at stake because he deprived bagnaia of the five points from the victory in Aragon, he also shows what he’s doing: “ when you fight with a compatriot, with whom you will have to share the box next year and who is running for the title, some ideas for the future cross your mind. I didn't hold back, but I also had my eyes on the future » he said, thus showing his discernment, but also clearly admitting his feeling of superiority towards this future teammate who would therefore owe part of his success to his benevolence.
That being said, Enea Bastianini will have to demonstrate another strength of character which is that which he will draw from his ability to adapt to a new environment. Because what awaits him at the factory Ducati will be very different from the family cocoon currently experienced at Gresini. And he will be alone because his chief engineer Giribuela, who knows the red house well having worked there with Dovizioso will not be in his luggage. “ When you arrive in an official team, you have to adapt the way you work. It won't be easy at first for him » says the one who is going to join KTM. “ The atmosphere? It certainly won't be easy. He will have to do his best. Of course it will be different from now, because he has a different personality ».
Enea Bastianini: “ no, there will be no wall«
A milestone to pass which is even mentioned by Pecco Bagnaia : " I would say it's a different situation because it's a different person. When you first enter a factory team, you have to adapt to working with all the engineers. It won't be easy for him in practice, but it will be the same for him in the championship. As always, it's about your teammate who is the first person you want to beat “, he said at the end. “ It's always been like this, and it will be like this with us ».
For its part, “Bestia” assesses the situation as follows: “ I think it will be fun, but also a challenge. I will have to adapt to the new bike and the new team, the first races will not be easy, but I feel prepared and competitive… For me, having Pecco in the pits will be an extra boost to do even better ". And like bagnaia comes from the VR46 Academy of Valentino Rossi, he adds mischievously: “ no, there will be no wall. We are just two drivers who I think are very strong and always want to win ».
The final word on these speculations about this future relationship goes to the test pilot MotoGP from the Borgo Panigale brand: Michele Pirro : " it will take respect and you shouldn't do anything stupid, because there is one company behind it, so many people, you don't just have to think about yourself. But they're both smart, we're going to have fun ».
