P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Bagnaia: Understanding 2024 Ducati more important than Qatar MotoGP win
The reigning double world champion secured the top spot in the standings by delivering a controlled performance on Sunday at Losail to clinch the season-opening grand prix. This victory marked Bagnaia’s second consecutive win in the first grand prix of the year, following a challenging sprint where he finished fourth due to a vibration issue on his Ducati caused by high tire pressures. Bagnaia expressed that although winning the grand prix was significant for points and the championship, the primary importance lay in the insights gained about the GP24 during the complete race distance as the championship spans 40 remaining races. He emphasized the importance of understanding the bike’s performance with used tires, highlighting the difficulty faced during testing in Malaysia and Qatar due to the high grip levels. Looking ahead to the next race in Portimao, Bagnaia acknowledged the progress made in optimizing the motorcycle’s performance and race management based on the lessons learned in the season opener.
