Pecco Bagnaia on Ducati’s Turnaround in Barcelona: “Biggest Difference Was the Tyres”
Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia and Ducati once again shone at the Circuit de Catalunya, pulling off an impressive turn during the Barcelona Grand Prix. After a winless run in 2023, when Aleix Espargaro dominated the track for Aprilia, Ducati not only won but also took the entire podium this Sunday.
The Decisive Race
Bagnaia took the win by passing Jorge Martin with six laps to go, while Marc Marquez secured third by passing Espargaro in the final four laps. Although Ducati did not stand out in Friday’s sessions, the team’s performance gradually improved over the weekend. Bagnaia found that the key to this success was one fundamental change: the tyres.
The importance of Michelin tyres
Two-time MotoGP champion Bagnaia explained: “For me, this year was different. I think the tyres helped us a lot. Already on Friday, we saw that the pace of Marc, Jorge, and mine was competitive. In FP1, KTM and Aprilia were a bit stronger because the control was very low when the track was dirty, but then it improved.”
He emphasised that he has kept the same lineup since the start of the weekend, opting for consistency rather than constant changes. “The biggest change compared to last year was the tires,” emphasised Bagnaia.
Strategy and execution
During the race, Bagnaia took a strategic approach and conserved his tyres in the early stages of the race. “I started well and tried to set my pace, but Jorge and Pedro pushed too hard,” he said. “I tried to follow them for a lap, but I felt it was a bit too much for my tyres, so I waited a bit longer. After ten laps, I started to gain speed compared to Jorge. It wasn’t easy because controlling the rear was a good thing, but the front dropped a lot.”
In the final part of the race, Bagnaia managed to stand out as he entered the corner, which was crucial for passing Jorge Martini. “I am very happy, because after the sprint I was very angry and disappointed. It was important to do something in the fifth inning to redeem myself for what happened. Passing there was the best place because I was too strong in the entry to turn four and fast in the corner. I decided to enter, but I prayed not to lose the front.”.
Bagnaia’s victory in Barcelona not only highlighted his skill and strategy but also the importance of the new Michelin tyre compounds to Ducati’s performance. The ability to quickly adapt to track conditions and maximise the potential of the tyres was essential to the team’s success. With this victory, Bagnaia and Ducati showed that they were ready to dominate the 2024 season, sending a clear message to rivals. Continued evolution and attention to technical detail will continue to be keys to maintaining dominance in future competitions.
