Four tenths of an advantage over Fabio Quartararo made Pecco Bagnaia poleman at the Spanish Grand Prix. With a time of 1m36.170s, Bagnaia became the fastest driver on Saturday, posting his best lap time to date.
Motivated by his results, the #63 confirms that he is satisfied not having made “any mistakes” today.
“Today luck has been with me,” the Italian introduced at the press conference for the Spanish Grand Prix. “I have been improving in each session and I am feeling good again when it comes to braking.”
This situation could push the Italian driver to his first victory of the year.
“I feel very good and the time has come to think about the points, so this Sunday will be the first opportunity I will have to fight for victory.”
“We have been able to close the distance at the pace level with Fabio [Quartararo] and in FP2 I have looked very good in terms of pace and consistency.”
After the appointment in Portugal, where he was able to improve his sensations with the Desmosedici GP22, the Ducati rider feels “comfortable” to fight in the front group.
“In Portimao I was finally able to find my sensations with the front end, and in this circuit I have once again felt my strong points when braking and entering corners.”
“It will be very important to finish ahead of Fabio [Quartararo], although the essential thing is to be in the fight. I don’t dare to say that I will be able to go for the victory, but the most important thing for me is to be in the fight.”
On this path to the podium, the holeshot could play a key role.
“For me, on this circuit the holeshot at the start is important. For example, at the exit of corners, the five above all, you can have a little wheelie, but it is true that it is less useful compared to the last Austin curve. For me where it works the most is at the start”.
The regular driver of the Borgo Panigale team arrived at the Andalusian track with shoulder pain after what happened at the Portugal event.
“Compared to yesterday, my shoulder has worsened, but it’s normal. This won’t be a limitation for tomorrow’s race, as for the time attack it wasn’t a problem for me.”
“It may get worse tomorrow but I don’t think it will be a problem.”
This being the case, Pecco Bagnaia will give it his all on a Sunday where he considers that “four riders will be the strongest”. The Italian driver wanted to refer to Aleix Espargaró, Joan Mir and Fabio Quartararo, without ruling out Marc Márquez.
“For me Aleix [Espargaró] and Joan [Mir] have a good pace, but it is also true that I think that Fabio [Quartararo] and I have done more or less the same job, since we have both ridden with used tires”
“Fabio [Quartararo] has tried to do more laps and I have taken it more calmly because of the shoulder injury, but there are four riders with good pace and Fabio is the one with the best pace.”
“This circuit belongs to Fabio. He has always been very competitive, but Marc [Márquez] is always faster in the race. I hope he will be strong, although I don’t know to what extent, because today in qualifying it was costing him a bit “, concluded the Italian.
