The MotoGP race weekend at Phillip Island turned into another major disappointment for Francesco Bagnaia. Starting the sprint race from 16th on the grid, the Ducati factory rider managed to gain a couple of spots on the opening lap before steering his machine into the pit lane just one lap later, walking away empty-handed.
The root of the disaster traces back to a troubled qualifying session held under wet track conditions. Failing to secure a spot in Q2 stemmed directly from a flawed tactical decision regarding rubber selection. “We made the wrong choice with the rear tyre,” he openly admitted regarding the strategic misstep during the rainy session.
Compounding the error, the choice to contest the entire Q1 session using only a single set of tyres proved to be equally detrimental. Even so, the Italian rider downplayed his overall ceiling for the day, noting that even a breakthrough into Q2 would likely have yielded a starting position no higher than 11th.
As for the abrupt decision to park his bike after a mere two laps in the sprint, no clear justification was provided. When asked if a fundamental issue plagued him from the very beginning, he avoided a direct answer, pointing instead to treacherous weather conditions. “The first laps were difficult due to the strong wind and cold temperatures,” the Ducati rider stated, leaving specific technical reasons unconfirmed.
This early retirement echoes his recent woes in Motegi, where severe vibrations forced a late retirement. Looking ahead to Sunday's main Grand Prix, the former world champion offered little optimism regarding his pace. Expecting lingering grip issues caused by the hostile winds and low track temperatures, he forecasted a modest fight for positions 9 through 12.
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