BAGNAIA REDISCOVERS HIS FORM WITH FOURTH IN QATAR PRACTICE

Francesco Bagnaia’s Friday at the Qatar Grand Prix offered a welcome change after months of struggling. The Ducati rider finished fourth overall at Losail, showed competitive pace across different tyre conditions and secured a direct place in Qualifying 2. It was only his second direct Q2 entry since the summer break. He had started the day sixth in FP1, then carried that form into the afternoon session.

The result followed a difficult run that had brought growing tension between Bagnaia and Ducati. After finishing 13th in Malaysia, he had said that something which once helped him win in Japan was no longer present on his bike, though he later said the remark was intended to give the media something to discuss.

In Qatar, the double world champion said the track’s layout and the asphalt’s grip had led him to expect a better weekend. Lusail’s characteristics reminded him of Brno, where he won the sprint and finished third in the Grand Prix. “I can only say that I had fun today; I enjoyed riding,” he said. He explained that he felt more support from the rear when entering corners and could push the front to help the bike turn.

Bagnaia said he was relieved to feel his speed returning. “I want to enjoy going fast,” he said. “Being in a factory team and suffering like I did in the last grand prix was tough. Here I feel like a factory rider again, and I want to use all that potential to contribute to the team.” His comments came as he looks ahead to leaving Ducati for Aprilia at the end of the season.

He described the day as his most enjoyable on a bike since the Czech Grand Prix. “This morning I wouldn't have said I'd have the chance to push, but I was able to because the feeling is good,” he said. “I haven't felt like this since Brno.” His confidence built gradually in the morning before he was able to push from the start of the afternoon session.

The improved feeling was not yet perfect, but Bagnaia said the team had only needed to make small adjustments to the bike’s balance. He also said the clearer feedback made it easier to work with the crew: “It's much easier to go in certain directions this way because you have a clear idea in your head and you know what to tell the team.” After a period of trying changes without a clear sense of what was wrong, Friday gave him a better understanding of the bike. “When you're suffering, you just try things out. Today I knew exactly what was happening.”

Bagnaia expects the hotter conditions to make free practice and qualifying more difficult, but believes a strong grid position could give him an opportunity in the sprint. “We’ll continue like this tomorrow,” he said, adding that he hoped to start near the front. After an unsuccessful attempt to find better form in Malaysia, he will be looking to turn Friday’s encouraging pace into a result.