This Sunday, May 29, 2022, Francis Bagnaia answered questions from journalists from the Mugello circuit at the end of the Italian Grand Prix.
Despite a fairly difficult start to the season, the Ducati rider has returned to the level that allowed him to fight for the title last year and, as a result, is more than ever considered one of the four contenders for the world crown this year. .
As usual, we report here the words of Francis Bagnaia without the slightest formatting, even if it is partially translated (vouvoiement in English, tutoiement in French).
I'm sure you dreamed of this day for Ducati and for yourself, because it must be a special day for an Italian rider to win in front of the Italian fans in Italy...
Francis Bagnaia : " Yes, of course, it's something I had always dreamed of. Winning at Mugello is incredible. Of course, Misano is my home Grand Prix but this one is the Italian Grand Prix, it's incredible to win here. This is one of the most difficult circuits of all time. That's great ! We worked well throughout the weekend and finally, after another not-so-good start, I was able to win. It wasn't easy because of the conditions because yesterday the grip was lower: maybe the rain in the evening had cleaned the track too much and it was more difficult to manage the rear tire, but, whatever in itself, I am very happy. It's special to win here! »
What happened at the start?
«
I got off to a pretty good start but the problem was that I had a Ducati on one side and two on the other, so I was in the middle and had to close the throttle. So I saw a lot of drivers overtaking me and Márquez also hit me in the fourth corner. So it wasn't easy. But I just tried to be clever with the tires and when you try to be clever it's difficult because the guys in front are always pushing you a lot. So I just used the advantage we have with the Ducati, which is very good in slipstream, and when I overtook Marco (Bezzecchi), I tried to create a gap.
But I'm very happy for them: Luca and Marco did a very good job and I would like to have more fights with them. »
After a disappointing Le Mans race, how satisfying was it to win in front of the Italian fans? Is that why you threw your gloves and boots into the crowd?
« It was great because I saw for the first time in the main stand and on the hills a lot of people with my flag. It was great ! In my lap of honor, before Correntaio, there were, I don't know how many but more than 1000 people with my flag, so I decided to stop there, to stop and leave the bike, and to throw away everything that was possible. I also thought about throwing away my helmet but I knew then we would have had a penalty for riding without a helmet. So it was not possible to do it. »
Can you explain why it is possible to overtake here when in the last two races it seemed very difficult?
« In my opinion, when you go faster, it's easier to overtake. When you have the same pace, it's more difficult because the details can make the difference, like the ailerons, the turbulence: when you're talking about tenths, it's very difficult not to make a mistake. When I was behind Di Giannantonio today it was the hardest for me to overtake. I don't know why, but he was pushing his tires a lot while I was trying to manage them. There are therefore two different kinds of overtaking. For me, it was a little easier today because, and I think it's the same for the three drivers on the podium, we had better pace than the others throughout the weekend.
And maybe for today, when you're three or four tenths a lap faster, it's a little easier to overtake. »
After your crash at Le Mans, it was very important to bounce back. Did you have more pressure today?
« For sure, it was important to take points in this race for the championship, but I have to say that I didn't feel any more pressure. The pressure is still there! We do a job where you have to live with pressure. But when you enjoy what you do, a mistake can happen, but the good thing is to start again and not think about your problems: you only have to think about the things that give pleasure. And I really had fun this weekend. Enormously ! So it's not always easy, because sometimes I can be very angry, like yesterday afternoon after qualifying where I was angry, but you always have to stay positive. An error may occur, but that's okay. »
How important is this victory mentally, and do you consider yourself the boss of Ducati riders?
« Of course, a victory gives you motivation, and I feel really good this year. For sure, it wasn't a good start and I struggled at the start of the season, but we found the feeling again after Portimao and I was always on top. At Le Mans, obviously, I crashed but I was there fighting for victory or for the podium. So of course, I feel lighter after this race and I feel very good since I started to have the same feeling again as last year.
I don't think I'm the boss of the team, the number one of the team, because it's very important to be a team, and it's also important to use Jack's data, like Jack uses my data, to progress together. It’s something I appreciate that it’s like this at Ducati. »
How do you see the battle for the title, for example compared to Bastianini who is in front of you at the world championship?
« He's done a better job than me since the start of the season, that's for sure, and I don't feel like I'm Bastianini's boss. He's on his team, I'm on my team, and we both have the same goal so we're fighting for it. »
Now that we have returned to Europe and you have found your feet, do you think that all three of you (Francesco Bagnaia, Fabio Quartararo, Aleix Espargaró) can fight for the title this year?
« I think they are better placed to answer this question. I made more mistakes so I have to be more like a machine, already from this race. So I can say yes but would also like to add Enea. »
Was it difficult for you to choose your front tire?
« A lot (laughs)! The first day and yesterday morning, like in FP4, I tried the medium, then in FP4 I tried the hard. I pushed it hard and in two laps I set one of the best times, in 46.6. So I was almost certain that it would be my tire choice but today I arrived on the grid and I was frozen. It was cold and I was cold. I told my Michelin tech that I'd like to go with the tough guy, but his face was very expressive to me. “Hmm… Maybe the medium is better”, because I had also worked a lot with the medium in FP2 when it was very hot. The feeling was not the best, because there were big movements, but the grip on the sidewalls was very good. Maybe it would have been better with the hard but I wasn't sure if I would be faster with the hard because it was more of the same. The rear makes you faster or slower, so maybe I had more headroom, or not, but I'm sure the medium was the right choice for me. »
Result of the MotoGP Italian Grand Prix at Mugello:
Credit ranking: MotoGP.com
