The race weekend at Losail Circuit brought a much-needed breath of fresh air for Pecco Bagnaia after securing a direct spot in Q2. The Italian rider posted the fourth-fastest lap time on Friday, a crucial milestone that restored his smile and confidence aboard the Desmosedici.
Bagnaia admitted that he was finally able to enjoy practice sessions without struggling against the technical hurdles that plagued him in recent rounds. The track characteristics in Qatar provided the optimal grip he had been longing for since the Czech GP, allowing him to maximize the bike's potential consistently from morning to afternoon sessions.
"I can only say that today I had fun, I had fun riding. I sort of expected it, because of the layout and the asphalt grip, similar to what we had in Brno; I thought I would have fewer problems. I noticed more rear support on corner entry and was able to push the front to make the bike turn. I really had fun," Bagnaia told reporters, as reported by Motosan.es.
Minimal set-up changes proved to be the key for the Borgo Panigale factory squad in finding the ideal balance. Bagnaia explained that he did not need to make radical changes to his machine, but rather fine-tuned minor details that directly yielded significant improvements in braking stability and aero efficiency.
"This morning I didn't realize right away that it would be a good opportunity to push. Lap by lap I did it more and more, and in the afternoon I pushed from the beginning of the session. It had been a long time since I managed that, so we just had to work a bit again on the bike's balance, and today we only touched small details that helped me a bit," he expressed.
Although feeling much more competitive, the Italian star remains cautious about the rising temperatures ahead of Saturday's final practice and qualifying sessions. However, he holds strong optimism regarding his prospects in the upcoming Sprint Race provided he can secure a front-row start.
"Tomorrow we will continue like this. I know that in free practice and qualifying it will be harder with the heat, but I believe that in the Sprint I can have a good opportunity if I manage to start up front," he added.
Reflecting on his past weekends, Bagnaia highlighted the strong sensations he previously experienced at Brno, noting that the clear technical direction makes it much easier to communicate feedback to his engineering crew.
"In Brno. I still don't have exactly what I would like to have, but I am close. I hadn't felt this good since Brno," he recalled. "When you feel like this it's easier to go in one direction, because you have clearer ideas and something to tell your team. When you suffer, you try different things; today, instead, I knew exactly what I needed. In Sepang, for example, the rear was spinning a lot, and in that situation it was harder to explain what I wanted."
Concluding his remarks, the Ducati stalwart emphasized the immense personal significance of returning to competitive form after enduring a challenging phase.
"A lot, a lot. I want to have fun and go fast, it's my job. Being in a factory team and suffering as much as in the last grands prix is hard. Finally, I really feel like a factory rider, and I want to enjoy it and harness this potential to give something back to my team," he concluded.
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