MotoGP Germany: Francesco Bagnaia shuts down talk of future team orders: “I don’t need help”

Francesco Bagnaia doesn’t want to see team orders implemented at any stage this season even if he remains locked in a MotoGP title fight with another Ducati rider.
Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati MotoGP Sachsenring 2023
Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati MotoGP Sachsenring 2023

Bagnaia finish😼ed seco🎶nd in both races at Sachsenring as Jorge Martin completed his first MotoGP double. 

The world champion was a distant second during the sprint, and although🦩 he failed to beat Martin during the Grand Prix, Bagnaia put up a challengeꦰ until the very end of the race.

ಌ"I really enjoyed the race," said Bagnaia. "Was more fun than yesterday and it was a really intense battle. 

"I tried everything but Jorge was faster. ✅Maybe in the last laps I was a bit more competitive but I didn’t have the chance to try and overtake. 

"I tried to be in a better position with two laps to go but I touched him and I lost a bi🌱t. 🍸;

"But I’m happy with everything. The step we di𒉰d yesterday wa💜s really big and we have to be happy with that. 

"I tried to be in the front to open a gap but I was ꦅa bit too conservative with the rear and he was pushing. 

"When he was more in front I just🌱 tried to close as much as possible to have a chance in the last laps. I gave my maximum."

During the post-race press conference, Ba🥂gnaia joked that if Martin’s current form continues - the Spaniard has been on the podium in the last six races including two victories -  then team orders should be implemented.

But when asked abou𓆉t his honest views about team orders after it became a factor last season with Enea Bastianini, Bagnaia sen꧟t a strong message to his manufacturer.

"I don’t want team orders and I don’t like team orders. It depends on the intelligence of each ri�ꦺ�der.

"Enea🍌, last year, was able to win races but I didn’t want Ducati to take away at any time the posꦆsibility of fighting for a victory or the championship. 

"This year is the same because I think, and I know that my potential [is good enouܫgh] that I don’t need help. 

"I want to do everything from my side of the box and I know if♋ everything works well then we can fight for a title."

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