Bagnaia Claims Third Podium with First Satisfying Race Pace of the Season
Francesco Bagnaia earned a third-place podium finish with a race pace he was finally satisfied with for the first time this season. Despite struggling with momentum and balance in the middle of the race, he noted positive takeaways from strong starts in two consecutive rounds. While still facing challenges in braking and corner entry, he reported clear improvements throughout the sessions and expressed determination to carry this positive momentum into the next round at Sachsenring.
Aggressive Start and Mid-Race Challenges
“This was the first race this year where I actually had good pace. It’s a shame to have finished third, but I was able to attack right from the first lap. Unfortunately, I couldn’t keep pushing in the middle of the race. Marc is doing amazing things on this bike, but I’m still struggling to find the right balance. Still, it’s the second race in a row where I’ve been able to be aggressive from lap one, and that’s something positive I want to take forward. I hope to keep this positive momentum going, though the next race is at Sachsenring—Marc’s favorite track.”
Braking and Entry Struggles, but Signs of Progress
“I’m still having trouble with braking and corner entry, which has always been an issue at this track. I can’t stop the bike exactly where I want, which makes the bike go wide on entry. That, in turn, throws off the acceleration points, and it’s tough. That said, we’ve improved session by session. We’ve already gone through ten rounds, but I finally feel like we’re in a position to fight. I want to take another step forward in the next race.”
Overtaking Acosta and the Bike’s Difficult Nature
“I only caught up to Pedro today because his pace dropped. This year, when you’re behind other riders, you face a lot of issues like front locking and oversteer. I had speed in Turn 15, so I used that to overtake him there.”
Progress Since Aragón and Looking Ahead
“Since Aragón, we’ve gradually become more competitive. At Le Mans and Silverstone, we just didn’t have the pace, and I lost a lot of confidence. But Aragón, Mugello, and Assen were much better—I’ve been able to push regardless of whether the tires were new or used. I’m getting back to riding with confidence, but a bike’s DNA doesn’t change easily. I’m trying to change my approach, but it’s still a struggle. Right after releasing the brakes, I need a bit more stability from the bike. I’m slowly regaining confidence, and I hope to feel fully comfortable over the next few races.”