Francesco Bagnaia believes the swap of venue from Valencia to Barcelona presents him an additional glimmer of hope in his unlikely bid to overtake Jorge Martin within the factors race on the final spherical.
Manufacturing unit Ducati rider Bagnaia closed the hole to Martin to 24 factors with a win in Sunday’s Malaysian Grand Prix, protecting the Italian’s hopes alive within the championship battle.
However Martin will probably be a robust favorite with such a bonus. Outscoring Bagnaia by two factors within the Saturday dash on the ultimate weekend can be sufficient for the Pramac Ducati man.
Nonetheless, the venue for the finale is set to be switched from Valencia to Barcelona at quick discover following the catastrophic floods within the metropolis that historically performs host to the final race.
Bagnaia, who realistically wants a mistake from Martin to have an opportunity of a 3rd straight title, feels the transfer to Barcelona opens up precisely that chance.
“Mathematically [the title] continues to be potential,” mentioned Bagnaia. “We all know it’s fairly tough, however something can occur in Barcelona.
“I do usually carry out higher at Barcelona, however it’s a extra difficult circuit the place [you can be very close to] making errors, so you need to be extra exact.”
Jorge Martin, Pramac Racing, Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Crew
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photographs
Bagnaia pointed to his personal accident there on the Catalan Grand Prix in June, when he fell at Flip 5 on the ultimate lap.
“I crashed there within the dash race after I had a one-second lead, although I used to be attempting to keep away from any errors.
“Will probably be difficult; the circumstances will probably be harder in comparison with [May] as a result of it is going to be chilly. And two corners there are fairly difficult, Flip 2 and Flip 5.
“Will probably be vital to attempt to be aggressive however nonetheless calm.”
Failing a serious mistake by Martin, Bagnaia is nicely conscious that his solely hope will probably be to take most factors whereas different riders push Martin additional down the sector.
“We nonetheless have an opportunity, however we actually want some assist from others. [Otherwise] if I win Jorge will end second as a result of we’re at one other stage.
“So I’ll attempt to assist all people through the weekend and lend my slipstream that somebody can comply with. I simply want somebody to get between me and Jorge.”
Bagnaia mentioned one rider who wouldn’t be on his aspect can be native racer Aleix Espargaro, who will get a bonus farewell on dwelling floor earlier than heading into retirement.
“I do know Aleix will probably be robust in Barcelona and can assist Jorge all weekend,” Bagnaia mentioned of the Aprilia rider.
