Francesco Bagnaia’s ominous warning: ‘I think we are at 80% in terms of consistency’

Francesco Bagnaia delivered a warning to his MotoGP rivals after setting a new unofficial lap record at Sepang.

After choosing not to set a time attack on day-two, Bagnaia made it a priority on the final day of testing. 

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Getting stronger and stronger through the test, Bagnaia is leaving Sepang very confident about the 2024 bike.

“Compared to one year ago, yes, I feel great with my bike,” said the Italian. “The only thing that made this test not 100% was in the long run I had an issue with the bike.

“It was slowing me down a bit but I already started so decided not to go in. it was better to continue. We demonstrated and know the potential of this bike and worked a lot to improve in just three days.

“I think we are at a good point and at 80% in terms of consistency. We move to Qatar in good shape.

“I think more or less it will be like this. Between now and then we will try some different maps for power delivery.”

Often a strength throughout his grand prix career, Bagnaia struggled to get the best out of his bike in qualifying trim following his nasty crash at Catalunya.

Improvements were made in the final few rounds, and despite not being able to train this area of his riding in the winter break, Bagnaia seemed to be back to his best.

“I was happy because it was an incredible lap time in my first time attack of the season,” added Bagnaia. “It was great but it was a test and the conditions were fantastic.

“It was the perfect time to do the time attack and so I’m happy for sure. I’m a guy that doesn’t think too much about good performance in a test.

“I think in the last part of the season, the last four races I was feeling back. It was always one of my best points, the time attack. At home it is impossible to improve.

“Maybe at the ranch you can practice with the go-kart, but on the MotoGP it is all natural. I just pushed like a time attack and the time arrived.”

When time attacks weren’t the focus of the Sepang test, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the new fairing from Ducati was one of the main points of focus for Bagnaia.

A fan of the new fairing after day two, Bagnaia said the thoughts of Enea Bastianini and Jorge Martin haven’t changed how he views the new upgrade.

“I try to think just about myself and I still think in some areas it is worse and in some it is better,” stated Bagnaia.

“Overall it is better but we will try to do something with the set-up to improve where it is worse.”