The Ducati Desmosedici is very efficient, we're not telling you anything. However, does Fabio Quartararo was really alone against eight? This is the question we have been trying to answer since yesterday. In order to understand the ins and outs of this analysis, we strongly recommend reading the first part, published yesterday at the same time.
You can find it right here by clicking on this link.
If we have already excluded Fabio DiGiannantonio From this discussion, not fast enough to help Bagnaia, let us analyze the seven other thieves. When we study case by case, “help” is no more obvious. Marco Bezzecchi did not overtake Bagnaia in Australia, it is true. But overall, he was no faster than the future world champion in the race, who could rival Rins in terms of velocity. The only proven help is that of
Johann Zarco in Thailand. Yes, by not attacking the official Ducati in the wet, Bagnaia enjoyed a clear advantage of three points in the championship.
Ducati is full of talent. This is also the reason why these questions arise, unlike Yamaha. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
It may be hard to believe, but Bagnaia lost more points than he gained “thanks” to others. First of all,
Luca marini. Very regular but not very incisive and fast, the VR46 pilot was not able to help anyone. He even overtook him in Valencia, when Bagnaia was in distress and fighting for the crown! same for me
Jack Miller, who, despite his status as a teammate, did not slow down during the last rounds even though the Borgo Panigale strategists could have asked him if necessary (especially in Thailand).
III) The real threats
And for the last two, it's quite the opposite. Jorge Martin publicly declared not to care about the situation in the championship, several times during the season. In fact, he did not help Bagnaia in any way. His revanchist and ambitious spirit would not have spat on a victory at Sepang under the nose and beard of
bastianini.
It may be difficult to accept, but Bastianini was a bigger threat to Bagnaia than Quartararo this season. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
“Bestia”, let’s talk about it. He is the man who slowed down Bagnaia the most in the title race, quite simply. At Le Mans, he fought hard and won after a magnificent press, when Bagnaia cracked. At Misano, he tried everything to the end, and failed to 34 thousandths of victory. Same scenario at Sepang, where he simply ignored the instructions (!) to the point of threatening his opposite number on the final lap. Even worse ! During the Aragón Grand Prix, he deprived Pecco of five precious points by performing a sumptuous maneuver in the last corner. The icing on the cake was that he also overtook him in Valencia.
If we take stock of the reds, Bagnaia gained three to six points thanks to the instructions, and lost five to ten because of other Ducati riders, on a rise of 91 points. Be careful, make no mistake: in principle, we are against this kind of orders, especially when they are given to drivers who do not play in the same team. However, from an objective point of view, Ducati had the situation perfectly under control and it could have been much uglier if they had taken inspiration from the Formula 1.
Certainly, all the drivers using the strengths of the Desmosedici were advised not to tempt the devil with the championship leader. But isn't that common sense, especially when so many talents share eight machines? Do you think the situation is different at Yamaha, or at any other manufacturer that has won a title in history? Besides,
Cal Crutchlow was informed that
Quarterly followed him twice, just as
Morbidely in Sepang.
We are still far from Formula 1, and that's fine. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
Conclusion:
No, Bagnaia did not benefit from abusive racing instructions which could have called into question the integrity of the championship. Ducati, as a manufacturer, has developed a machine to win, how can you blame them. Pecco is a great world champion, he who rightly pointed out that he does not need anyone to win. Fabio Quartararo was not alone “against eight”, but rather, simply alone, without a machine to match his talent and without efficient teammates.
What do you think about the question? Tell us in the comments, all will be read and debated!
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport
