Enea Bastianini started his career in red and he hopes that it will be synonymous with life in pink for the next two years. Because “Bestia” will be the teammate of a Pecco Bagnaia until 2024 in what is currently doing the best in MotoGP, the Ducati factory team. At the Valencia test, which launched the 2023 MotoGP off-season, he discovered his new environment as a different working method. He reviewed everything, up to his first fall and this imperative of the cordial understanding expected from his World Champion teammate as required from Ducati…
Enea Bastianini made his debut in Ducati “Red” during the only day of MotoGP test in Valencia which opened the preparations for 2023, while definitively closing 2022. The former pilot Ducati Gresini immediately got along well with the new team and its new chief engineer, formerly of Johann zarco.
« I really like the red, I hope it suits me well » begins the third of the 2022 championship. « It went very well, we did a good job, we got off to a good start, I liked it and there was immediately a good understanding with the team. Too bad about the fall in the last run but it's okay ». He adds : “When you go to a new environment like the official Ducati team, you feel in awe but then you go for it and it was very exciting. There are so many people listening to you, that's the biggest difference ».
« From a technical point of view, I worked on the 2023 bike. We tried several things, some worked and some didn't, but I liked the new bike in general. It's a little more stable in the back, and cornering seems to be better too. What struck me is that I can still do the same things as with my GP21. I feel like we are competitive. Now we need to check the data” he said.
Enea Bastianini: “with Pecco Bagnaia, you have to get along and do things with serenity"
The pilot of 24 years adds: “ Being in the official team is exciting, they listen to you, they told me to report any problems to them both in terms of ergonomics and beyond. It’s added value. There are more people. At first I tried to work without it, because it was important to have a footprint with my new team leader, but then we also started working with Gigi and the guys who work here at Ducati. It was amazing and it's good to feel like that. They listen to you and try to help you with everything, in every aspect and with every detail of the bike.”
And with his new teammate Pecco Bagnaia, crowned with the title of World Champion? “ We spoke within the team. It will be important that there is a good relationship between us » he analyzes on this sensitive subject even in the upper spheres of Ducati. " Firstly because we have to work together for a long time, and secondly because we must develop a motorcycle that makes us both strong. We have to get along and do things calmly. The climate inside the box was fantastic and I really liked it ».
However, Enea Bastianini recalls its objective: « having the World Champion next to me is super stimulating, it pushes me to give a little more. I'm happy that Pecco became champion because he deserves it and I'll be happy if one day I can even beat him ". Then he finishes: “ we will have to train a lot, relax, try to clear our minds, because it has been a very demanding season. Once the batteries are recharged, in January we will have to attack hard ».
Valencia test: times
Credit classification motogp.com
