Ducati’s Bagnaia Downplays Impact of Marc Márquez’s Arrival
Italian MotoGP rider Francesco Bagnaia spoke yesterday, on the eve of the Dutch Grand Prix, about the upcoming arrival of six-time MotoGP champion Marc Márquez to the official Ducati team next season.
Bagnaia stressed that Márquez’s arrival will not significantly impact his own work or performance, stating, "I work for myself and with my own team, whoever the boxing partner is, we don’t care, the work is the same."
The two-time champion also dismissed speculation that Márquez’s arrival will create a shift in their relationship, saying, "As a companion, Marc will contribute his experience and will be important for the development, but honestly, for me it will not change anything at all."
The Good Environment
Bagnaia emphasized the importance of maintaining the current climate of tranquility within the team, stating, "I am sure that that will not change." The rider reportedly asked the team to ensure that their final choice did not jeopardize the good atmosphere within the team.
When asked about potential changes with Márquez’s arrival, Bagnaia said, "There are those who will say that we will finally be on equal terms… the same thing happened with Enea," referring to his former teammate Enea Bastianini.
Bagnaia praised Bastianini, stating, "I have always had a good relationship with Enea, we have known each other for many years, we work well together, creating a good atmosphere in the box." He also acknowledged Bastianini’s struggles with injuries last year, saying, "However, last year he had very bad luck, he was injured and missed many races, but this year has already been fast from the beginning."
Overall, Bagnaia appears unconcerned about the impact of Márquez’s arrival, focusing instead on maintaining the team’s positive dynamic and his own personal performance.
