Davide Tardozzi, Ducati team manager, sheds light on the race in Malaysia and on the rumors that diminish the value of Pecco Bagnaia.
There continues to be a lot of talk around the Ducati garage after the race in Malaysia, when a Gresini billboard with the name of Pecco Bagnaia addressed to Enea Bastianini. No team order, as some hypothesize, but only a recommendation not to make risky maneuvers. The top priority of the Borgo Panigale manufacturer is to win the drivers’ title fifteen years after the historic feat of Casey Stoner.
Gigi Dall’Igna, Paolo Ciabatti and Davide Tardozzi were entertained at the pit wall towards the middle of the race, when the ‘Bestia’ took the lead of the Grand Prix after passing his compatriot from the factory team. The Ducati managers were immediately reminded of the recent memory of what happened at Le Mans, with Enea overtaking Pecco and flying towards victory, while his brand mate fell shortly after due to a distraction.
Bagnaia towards the first MotoGP title
All is well what ends well, in Malaysian soil Bagnaia wins his seventh victory of the season and arrives at the last round in Valencia with an advantage of 23 points on Fabio Quartararo. The drivers title is almost on the showcase, but the conditional is a must until he waves the checkered flag on Sunday 6 November. A date that will remain in the company album forever.
The team manager Davide Tardozzi rejects the hypothesis of team orders, underlining how the leadership of the Turin driver is more than legitimate and deserved. “Bagnaia proved to be a champion with the start of the race he made. This year he has won seven races and won four of the last six in 2021, and when he falls he is always ahead, but they continue to belittle him, on social media and some media. How do you say he’s not a champion?“.
The issue that flares up in the MotoGP paddock concerns the poster displayed when Enea Bastianini has passed to command … “We just ask for a little attention from our drivers, we don’t want risky overtaking. Although a long time has passed, at Ducati we remember well what happened in Argentina in 2016 (Iannone hit Dovizioso at the last corner and they both crashed). Bastianini didn’t let Bagnaia pass, he was just slower when he was ahead. Throughout the race they passed without any problems. This is the confirmation – concluded Tardozzi – that there have been no orders from Ducati“.
