Francesco Bagnaia, two-time MotoGP champion, expresses a preference for letting his performance on the track speak for itself rather than discussing his intentions.
Francesco Bagnaia secured a spot in Saturday’s Q2 session by finishing eighth fastest in Friday’s second MotoGP practice at Portimao.
Throughout the session, the reigning world champion displayed enhanced speed, though he was unable to match the pace set by his teammate Enea Bastianini, who topped the charts.
When asked about his satisfaction with the day, Bagnaia responded, “I’m in the top ten, so yes. It was a day of work, and unfortunately, this morning we didn’t have the opportunity to try different setups.
“I’m someone who likes to understand every aspect. This morning was unproductive, but this afternoon we found the right direction to follow.
“I’m pleased to have made it into Q2. Happy because we’ve identified the path forward.”
In Qatar, Bagnaia reminded everyone of why he remains the rider to beat, yet in his career, he has consistently built up to his grand prix successes in a methodical, understated manner.
Not one to boast about his potential achievements, Bagnaia hinted at his preference to let his performance on the track do the talking once again at Portimao.
“I prefer to let my results speak for themselves rather than speak beforehand,” Bagnaia remarked. “I’m aware of my potential and what I can achieve.”
“But if I speak beforehand and then end up in 18th place, suggesting I can win, people might think I’m crazy.
“Sometimes, it’s better to quietly work, work, work, and then be fully prepared for the main objective. That’s my preferred approach.”
Bagnaia, who doesn’t necessarily need to finish first on a Friday to secure direct access to Q2, did acknowledge that it would certainly make the weekend smoother. However, it’s not something he dwells on.
“For sure, it would be beneficial, indicating that if I’m first on Friday, I already have a good feeling and setup for the weekend.
“But it has never been an obsession for me. I just want to be ready for all scenarios, to put in laps with the tires, the bike, and grasp the nuances for when it really counts. It will happen.
“Like last year, it all came together in Mugello, but it’s something that doesn’t hold much weight for me.”
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