This Friday, November 12, 2021, Pecco Bagnaia answered questions from journalists from the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Cheste (Valencia), at the end of the first day of the Valencian Community Grand Prix.
We went to listen (via teleconferencing software) to the words of the Italian driver, author of the third best time in combined times this Friday.
As usual, we report here the words of Pecco Bagnaia without the slightest formatting.
Pecco, it was rather a positive day for Ducati, if we put aside the two accidents that occurred during FP1?
« I'm happy because I think I had my best Friday so far in Valencia. I enjoyed driving, and even this morning in wet conditions I had good sensations, which is positive. In the afternoon I also had a good feeling straight away. During the last races we tried a lot of things, and this allows us to know in which direction to go in the next few days. »
It seems that there are places where there is quite a bit of standing water, making the trail conditions tricky. On the other hand, it seems difficult to go off-trajectory. How do you deal with this situation?
« The first corner has a new surface, it goes well because the water is well drained, but throughout the rest of the circuit the water remains on the track, which makes everything very slippery. This morning I fell, but it was only because of my big attack. In turns 4 and 5 it is also very difficult because the rear tire has difficulty heating up. A majority of the track drains water poorly, but in the afternoon conditions were OK in the dry. »
“A majority of the track drains water poorly”
You completed your last run with the hard tire in front. Should we conclude that the medium was too soft?
« On this track we have different tire allocations. The hard tire is similar to the medium or even the soft tire on other circuits. The soft tire should therefore only be used when it is really very cold. But this weekend it seems that it won't be that cold. When I tried the medium it seemed okay, but I felt like the hard tire gave me more support. »
So do you think you will use the hard tire in the race?
« We have to look at what the conditions are like tomorrow, because today was only the first day and we therefore have to see what the track conditions are like when it starts to get rough. »
How different is your bike from the one you had last year at this time in Valencia?
« I started the weekend well with the bike, the sensations were good as well as the overall feeling. Compared to last year, it's an undeniable step forward, but it's not the first time this season that I've felt better and stronger. This is the first time I feel like I'm strong here. »
Results of FP2 of the MotoGP Valencian Community Grand Prix:
Credit Ranking: motogp.com
