In the last three races, Pecco Bagnaia has racked up two wins in a row, at Aragón and Misano , and a third podium finish, at the Grand Prix of the Americas last Sunday.
However, Fabio Quartararo finished second and extended his championship lead to 52 points over the Italian, giving the Yamaha rider his first shot at the title at the upcoming Emilia Romagna GP .
Three weeks ago, at the last MotoE race in Misano, Dominique Aegerter had a collision with Jordi Torres on the last lap and took the title, but was penalized after the race, giving the Spaniard his second consecutive championships.
Asked if he would have to make risky moves with Quartararo to keep his title hopes alive, Bagnaia replied: “I’m here to try and close this gap that seems impossible to close.”
“But I’m just trying… I’m more relaxed than Fabio, I think, because Fabio has to think about [securing] the championship.”
“I just have to think about being as competitive as possible, and I’m not saying that Fabio isn’t relaxed, but I think I’m calmer”.
“For sure I won’t do something like Aegerter, because if you have the possibility to overtake, you overtake, and if you don’t, it’s very risky to do something.”
“We don’t have eight or seven points between us, but 50. So I think it’s not something I have to do.”
(Click on this link or on the image to see the photos of the 2021 MotoGP Americas GP race)
Bagnaia added: “I’m not going to give up, but Fabio has done a great job this year.”
“He was the best at the beginning and he’s the one who stayed the most consistent, so he’s really a great driver. He will have a chance to win.”
“We know where we lost those points, so in these last three or four races we are doing a very good job, we are improving, we are learning.
“So we are more competitive, although Fabio is doing a great job.”
Quartararo said after his podium finish in Austin that he “doesn’t need to obsess” about winning the title at Misano later this month and will approach the race like any other. The Italian event will take place on October 24.
