Pecco Bagnaia’s statements at the “Campioni in Festa” event reveal a blend of bitterness and optimism regarding the 2024 MotoGP season results. The Italian rider secured several wins throughout the year, yet losing the World Championship title to Jorge Martin left a bittersweet feeling.
At the annual “Campioni in Festa” event, organized by Ducati at the Bologna Motor Show, the three-time MotoGP World Champion shared his thoughts on the 2024 season and his expectations for the future. Surrounded by other Ducati riders, the Turin native made candid remarks about his successes, mistakes, and the arrival of Marc Marquez to the official team.
A Season Full of Wins, Yet Full of Challenges
Bagnaia spoke about a season filled with victories but also many challenges: “Our season was one where we won many races, but we also had many zero-point finishes, up to eight times. If I managed to fight for the championship until the final race and ended up just 10 points behind, that’s also thanks to the new points system with the Sprint Race. Perhaps I would give an additional bonus to those who participate in both races to reward the victories.”
He emphasized the importance of learning from these mistakes to avoid repeating them. Bagnaia also named his favorite races of the year: “This season, I rank Jerez, Assen, and Sepang in my top three. Jerez, because we were able to set up GP24; Assen, because of the momentum and performance it represented; and negatively, Sepang, which broke our legs.”
A Bitter Loss, Yet Valuable Lessons Learned
Losing the championship to Jorge Martin remains a painful experience for Bagnaia: “I was a bit heartbroken when I saw Verstappen win his fourth F1 title. At that point, I thought I could also have four titles, but we lost the world championship due to too many mistakes. This will be a lesson for us.”
Despite the setback, Bagnaia’s reflections are a clear indication that he has learned from the season’s challenges and is looking forward to improving in the future. His humility and self-awareness show a level of maturity that is crucial for continued success at the highest level.
The Arrival of Marc Marquez and Future Expectations
Bagnaia also discussed the arrival of Marc Marquez to the Ducati factory team and the motivation for collaboration: “I believe that the season always starts with riders of the same level and the same voice, and things change throughout the season. Ducati has always treated its riders well. I believe Marc will quickly understand the environment and the way we work. We’ve done very well during the testing process.”
The prospect of working alongside a rider of Marquez’s caliber has only added to Bagnaia’s determination for the future. His mindset reflects a readiness for the challenges ahead and a willingness to learn from his teammates, setting the stage for a strong partnership within the Ducati team.
Honors and Looking Ahead to 2025
Bagnaia expressed immense pride in being honored as the Honorary Citizen of Pesaro and Citizen of the Year in Turin: “To have a city like Turin, always associated with football, vote for a motorbike racer is a great honor. Becoming Turin’s Citizen of the Year makes me very happy.”
With the 2024 season behind him, full of lessons and promising cooperation with Marquez, Bagnaia looks ahead to 2025 with renewed determination. His realistic mindset and positive attitude suggest he is ready to take on new challenges and reach greater heights with Ducati. As the next season approaches, Bagnaia is not just aiming for personal success but also for further growth within the Ducati family, reinforcing his position as one of the sport’s elite riders.
