Did Pecco Bagnaia make one too many mistakes during Q1 of the Portuguese Grand Prix? The Ducati official was one of those who opted for slicks on a still drying track and he fell as soon as he came out of the pits. He was not seriously injured but will still have to undergo a medical fitness examination before starting the race. Within the official Ducati team, it's all grimacing and the indulgence and patience shown so far towards its rider signed until 2024 seem to have reached the threshold of tolerance...
In Qatar, Pecco Bagnaia criticized his team's working method which forced him to work on the development of the GP22. In Indonesia he was not on the pace. In Argentina, he crashed during qualifying and in Austin he did not raise his game to the level of that of his teammate Jack Miller andEnea Bastianini winner, who reached the podium. This first European stage in Portimao was to be a new start in this season where he was expected to win everything according to the winter forecasts. But he will start last in the Portuguese Grand Prix after a fall in Q1 for which he bears full responsibility. And among the red tunics, we make it known.
Ducati on the fall of Pecco Bagnaia: “ This will harm us at championship level«
First there were the words of his teammate Jack Miller who blamed Pecco's impatience to mount the slicks too early before riding them too fast upon returning to the track. There are also these words of Davide Tardozzi team manager Ducati : “ when Pecco came back we gave him our suggestion, but no one better than him could know what condition the track was in. We informed him of Nakagami's change of heart and Gardner's fall, but he made the final decision ».
« That the slick would have been the right tire was obvious, but we had to be more careful, the important thing is to attack on the last lap "Adds Tardozzi. " We didn't expect this to happen, and this will harm us at the championship level ". The Director General Gigi Dall'Igna adds: " I think the choice was the right one, but it was unfortunate. The others put the slicks 30” after him. Doing one more lap on these tires would have given him more confidence ". And he ends with the championship which already seems to be flying away: “ all races are important, I will think about tomorrow's, the others... I will think about it later ". But the reflection will be done.
While waiting for good news: « Pecco Bagnaia has received clearance from the medical director, he is FIT TO RACE“, was the message of Ducati. « He slept well and although he is still in a lot of pain, he is ready to warm up and race with the other drivers. »
MotoGP Portugal J2: starting grid
Credit classification motogp.com
