Francesco Bagnaia faced another setback this MotoGP season when he failed to qualify directly for the Q2 session at the Czech Grand Prix after Friday’s practice. Despite showing competitive pace throughout, Bagnaia was caught out by poor timing and a flawed strategy that left him unable to secure a top 10 spot.
The Ducati rider explained that the main issue was being in the pit lane at critical moments while others improved their lap times. He revealed the tactical choice of tyre was a significant factor contributing to his disappointing result.
Tyre Choices and Timing Cost Bagnaia Crucial Qualifying Position
Bagnaia openly acknowledged the team’s miscalculation, stating,
“I’m not there because we completely missed the strategy.”
He described how every time he returned to the pits, he remained within the top 10, but the key laps were missed.
He added,
“In the last moment, the only possibility to go in the top 10 [again] was to go with the medium rear [wet tyre]. But we decided to go with the soft. It was the incorrect strategy.”
The rider highlighted that Ducati’s technicians insisted on using the soft tyre when, in hindsight, switching to medium would have been the better choice. Bagnaia followed their call despite recognizing it was flawed.
Technical Delays and Team Decisions Led to Lost Opportunities
Bagnaia emphasized the impact of a bike setup change that took too long, causing him to miss the critical window when other riders posted their fastest laps.
“Today we decided to try a thing that was too long to change [on the bike],”
he said.
“We missed the moment where everybody did their fastest laptime.”
He went on,
“And then in the last part, I was seeing that it was better to go with the medium [wet tyre], but the technicians were too convinced to go with the soft. So I decided to go with their strategy. But it was incorrect.”
Reflecting on the overall outcome, Bagnaia remarked,
“I think the potential to be in the top 10 was clear and it was there. We just made all the incorrect decisions.”
Struggles This Season Add Pressure to Weekend Performances
The two-time MotoGP champion acknowledged that his current season has been complicated, particularly struggling with rear traction on his Ducati. This issue makes it difficult for him to recover when things go wrong early in a race weekend.
“Honestly, it’s already a complicated season,”
admitted Bagnaia.
“Where my feeling is not the best [on the bike]. If we complicate the situation even more, it can be a shame, like it was today.”
Impact on Season and Expectations Moving Forward
This latest qualifying setback intensifies the challenges Bagnaia faces in improving his starting positions and race results. With the Ducati Team’s strategic errors highlighted, there will likely be renewed focus on making faster and more accurate decisions during practice and qualifying sessions as the championship unfolds. How Bagnaia and Ducati adapt to these difficulties could play a key role in their performance for the remainder of the season.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is MotoGP not so popular?
A. Unfortunately, entertainment is more profitable than sports, and MotoGP wants to benefit from this trend. However, MotoGP currently lacks personalities that add enough drama to make it exciting.
Q. Has anyone won F1 and MotoGP?
A. John Surtees is well-known for being the sole World Champion in both motorcycle racing and Formula 1 car racing. He showcased great talent and courage in both areas.
Q. Why isn’t MotoGP popular?
A. Motorcycling isn’t as popular as football. Most people, about 90%, don’t feel connected to it, regardless of Liberty Media’s advertising efforts. Society today has many entertainment choices, so motorcycling doesn’t stand out.
Q. Is MotoGP cheaper than F1?
A. The Ministry of Youth and Sports explained that holding a Formula One race costs four times more than a MotoGP event. They also mentioned that MotoGP is less expensive than organizing a Formula E race.
