Ducati Lenovo RACER Francesco Bagnaia wants to try to be calmer in order to face and block his closest competitor this season, Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), to win the MotoGP title.
Bagnaia is now in second place in the MotoGP standings with a margin of just 17 points from Martin.
“On the one hand, I have to be fast, but I also can’t make mistakes. At the moment, Jorge is in a better situation in terms of (the title fight), but I was in the same situation last year, and I feel to need to calmer,” he said
Bagnaia, quoted from the official MotoGP statement, Friday (1/11).
“Being competitive in that situation is difficult, but I think we just need to enjoy the situation and work as usual,” he added.
However, Bagnaia did not deny that pressure cannot be eliminated in a situation like this. Moreover, Bagnaia also has the opportunity to reduce the gap in points with Martin and win the world title for the third time.
“In terms of pressure, yes, the pressure is always there, but it feels good to be in a situation like this. I’m happy to be in
this situation,” said the racer who is familiarly called Pecco.
Meanwhile, Ducati Lenovo Team Manager Davide Tardozzi said the racer with motorbike number #1 still has the confidence to secure the title again.
“He is really confident. He is aware of the possibilities, and we will see what happens in the last lap,” said Tardozzi.
“We will try hard to win both races this weekend, and I am sure Jorge (Martin) will try and do the same. We appreciate Jorge’s attitude while leading the championship and also being a tough competitor like last year,” he continued.
For Tardozzi, Bagnaia has now grown as a more mature racer along with his experience in fighting for the highest title.
Bagnaia said, since 2021, when he lost the title to Fabio Quartararo, he started to learn how to manage the situation
critically well, so that now he holds two championship titles.
“The last two years have proven that he has matured and grown. Finally, he has proven that he is a world champion and he is fighting against great racers like Jorge,” concluded Tardozzi. (Ant/Z-1)
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**Interview with Francesco Bagnaia: Reflections on Winning the MotoGP World Championship**
**Editor:** Congratulations, Francesco! You’ve just been confirmed as the MotoGP World Champion for 2023. How does it feel to secure the title again?
**Francesco Bagnaia:** Thank you! It feels amazing to be the champion once more. Winning this title is always a special moment, and this year has had its challenges. I’m grateful for my team, Ducati, and all the supporters who have stood by me.
**Editor:** You faced intense competition, especially from Jorge Martin. How did you manage to keep your composure during such a tense season?
**Francesco Bagnaia:** It was not easy at all. I realized I needed to be calm and focus on my race strategy rather than getting too caught up in the pressure of the championship battle. I knew how important it was not to make mistakes and to stay fast at the same time. Reflecting on last year, I knew I could draw on that experience to help me stay calm.
**Editor:** Can you tell us more about the moment during the race when you knew you had secured the title?
**Francesco Bagnaia:** There was a point when Jorge had his unfortunate incident, and I knew that would change the dynamics of the race. I just had to keep my head down, focus on finishing strong, and not get distracted. It was a moment filled with mixed emotions—relief and joy, but also sympathy for Jorge.
**Editor:** Now that you’ve won the championship, what’s next for you? Are you planning to defend your title next season?
**Francesco Bagnaia:** Absolutely, the goal is always to defend the title. We will analyze what worked best this season and improve where we can. The competition will be fierce again, but I’m ready for it. We’ll continue to work hard and stay focused.
**Editor:** Lastly, any words for your fans and the young racers looking up to you?
**Francesco Bagnaia:** To my fans, thank you for your unwavering support; you mean the world to me. To the younger racers, keep pushing, stay passionate, and never stop believing in yourself. Hard work pays off, and dreaming big is the first step toward achieving your goals.
**Editor:** Thank you for your time, Francesco, and once again, congratulations on your remarkable achievement!
**Francesco Bagnaia:** Thank you! It’s always a pleasure to share my journey with everyone.