“He who begins well is halfway there,” goes the famous saying, which Enea Bastianini seems to have taken literally. Despite a not particularly satisfactory start to the weekend, the Ducati rider completed Friday’s Catalan Grand Prix with enormous satisfaction. Eighth at the end of the afternoon session, the Italian qualified directly in Q2.
In the current MotoGP, qualifying is fundamental and starting from the front is an advantage, therefore having gained direct access to the decisive phase of timed testing represents an excellent start to the weekend for Bastianini: “The day didn’t start well at all. I went in and was slow right away. I just couldn’t push, as soon as I tried to do something more I had big movements and a lack of grip especially on the front.”
“I expected it at the rear, but a little less at the front. So we had to adapt a little and try to change our style a little. In the afternoon things definitely went better, especially from mid-session onwards. We made a step, I’m happy. The important thing was to get into Q2 directly, but let’s say that in any case I’m still missing something if I want to stay in front,” he explained Beast.
Enea Bastianini, Ducati Team
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
The official Ducati rider managed to immediately make up for his not particularly brilliant start to the day. He remained calm, remaining focused and feels proud of this clear reaction to the problems that have been swept away from his head at least: “I’m happy with myself, that I didn’t get nervous. When this is the case it’s not easy to stay calm, especially when you’re far behind. It’s ugly. Instead we worked well and this paid off and we entered Q2 and it was very important because starting from the front is now fundamental.”
“Let’s say I know what areas I need to improve. An idea of what can be done? I don’t know whether to take another step in the direction we went today or whether to do something else. I’ll look carefully at the data and understand. But we are working well and trying to close this gap”, he explained, speaking of the difference between the Ducatis and the Aprilias, which confirmed themselves in great form this year too after their domination in 2023.
What worries the drivers most in Barcelona is the high tire wear. However, one of the best in terms of management is Bastianini himself, who on more than one occasion emerged in the second part of the race for having been able to not wear the tires excessively. At Montmelo, however, the aggressiveness of the asphalt is also a concern Beast: “This is a track where consumption is very high, but I’ve never managed to conserve the tires well, so we’ll have to see. Last year I didn’t have to store anything (laughs). But it will certainly be fundamental to stay there and not push too much in the race, because the last two or three laps will be really difficult.”
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