Francesco Bagnaia, the Ducati Lenovo Team rider, narrowly secured direct access to Qualifying 2 at the Argentine MotoGP after a late crash during Friday’s practice sessions. The incident at Turn 2 occurred just minutes before the session concluded, leaving Bagnaia sidelined as competitors improved their lap times. Initially holding sixth position, he was eventually pushed down to tenth, clinching the final automatic Q2 spot by a slim margin.
Despite the crash, Bagnaia emerged uninjured and remained optimistic about his performance. He acknowledged feeling relieved to have maintained his Q2 placement, especially after the dramatic end to the practice session. Bagnaia expressed satisfaction with the improvements made to his bike’s setup, noting a significant enhancement in braking and corner entry. He emphasized the importance of these adjustments for the upcoming races and expressed readiness to compete.
The Termas de Rio Hondo circuit experienced rapidly changing grip levels due to dust accumulation, affecting all riders. Bagnaia highlighted that as the weekend progresses, grip conditions are expected to improve, making confidence in braking crucial for competitive lap times. He reiterated his preparedness to contend with rivals, including the Marquez brothers, who have shown strong performances in recent races.
Bagnaia’s resilience and adaptability following the Friday scare demonstrate his determination to excel in the Argentine MotoGP. His focus on bike setup and braking confidence positions him as a formidable competitor in the upcoming qualifying and race sessions.
