This Friday, November 5, 2021, Pecco Bagnaia answered questions from journalists from the Algarve International Autodrome in Portimão, at the end of the first day of the Grande Prémio Brembo do Algarve.
We went to listen (via teleconferencing software) to the words of the Italian driver, author of the second combined times today, behind Fabio Quartararo.
As usual, we report here the words of Pecco Bagnaia without the slightest formatting.
Pecco, before we ask how your day went, can you tell us how your interview went today with Casey Stoner?
« I met Casey for the very first time yesterday, and today he spent some time on the track with us. So it was nice to have another point of view, his own. It's something that I really appreciated, knowing that it's not a "coach" like all the others, it's Casey Stoner. Maybe tomorrow we'll be able to spend even more time together.
»
You have said in the past that you are a big Ducati fan. Were you more for Casey Stoner or for Valentino Rossi?
« I'm one of Valentino's biggest fans, I know almost everything about him, as well as a very big Ducati fan. Of course Casey is one of the best, but Valentino remains my idol. »
You declared at a press conference yesterday that you wanted to have a good duel with Fabio Quartararo, whether here in Portimão or in Valencia next week. Today you both took the first places while being very close. So do you think that this long-awaited duel will take place this weekend?
« It would be nice if it continued like this indeed! Today every time I took first place and returned to the pits, as I got off the bike I saw Fabio pass me again. So it would be good to still have this type of battle over the rest of the weekend, and especially on Sunday. »
« I think Fabio and I have the best race pace, and therefore I think we are the two strongest riders at the moment. But the fact is that he was the one who won here in the first round, so I have to give him his due. »
Today we discovered a new image capture process implemented by Dorna, namely a camera attached to the pilot's shoulder. Have you been asked to try it? Furthermore, which driver would you like to see evolve with this type of device, in order to analyze their piloting?
« This is of course something very interesting because you can see the dashboard, the use made by the driver of the different levers, etc. On the other hand, it would really bother me to have this kind of device with me because I absolutely don't want to share anything about my riding and my little tips! Afterwards, if I had to choose a driver, it would be myself, to see what I do well and what not so well. »
During FP1 you constantly stayed outside, you did not return to the pits. This is probably the first time you have applied this strategy. Can you tell us more ?
« I assure you, I stopped once! I covered ten laps on my first outing, and 11 on my second. This is actually something we do regularly during FP1, as normally we change tires mid-session. The feeling was quite good, and I was quite happy to be able to do quite a few laps while having these good sensations. It's a good thing, and I have to say it's the first time this has happened to us this season, because usually we're not competitive from the start. So it's very good that this is happening like that. »
MotoGP – Portimão-2 – FP1 & FP2 combined times:
