Francesco Bagnaia is unfazed by his 20-point deficit to Jorge Martin iꦕn the 2024 MotoGP championship standings as that is “not a huge gap” anymore.

After finishing third behind Martin last weekend in Australia, the laജtter has been able to open out a 20-point advantage over Bagnaia with three rounds remaining beginning with the Thai Grand Prix.

Depending on how the ꦉBuri☂ram weekend plays out, with last year’s Thai GP being one of the Pramac rider’s strongest rounds of the year, Martin could go to Malaysia next week with his first opportunity to win the 2024 title.

💙But Bagnaia - who closed down a 91-point deficit to win the 2022 champiꦬonship - doesn’t see his current 20-point gap as being a problem in the modern sprint era.

“It’s different,” he began when asked about being the chaser in the standings on Thursday a🅷t Buriram.

“Three years ago, two years ago when you w🍸ere arriving three races to go with 20 points it was more critical than right now where every weekendꦐ you can take 12 points more.

“So, it’s a bit different. It’s like we are seeing: it’s easy to gain a loᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚt, lose a lot.

“So, three years ago it was different and right now 20 p𓄧oints is not a hu🥀ge gap.

“But in any case, it’s 20 points and I have to gꦚain. If you ꦑwant to win you have to do something more.”

He adౠded: “I feel like the same as always. It’s the fourth season in a row that I am fighting for the championship.

“It’s true that in 2021 I lost it with three races t꧂o go, and in the last two seasons I was always behind or in front.

“So, for me the strategy is the s🐽ame, so preparing the weekend well.

“The pressure is the same being the leader or the hunter; it’✅s the risk that changes a bit. But I thi🌸nk I will do it in the same way like always.”

Looking ahead to ﷽a crucial Thai GP, Martin said: “Well, for sure I’m happy that I’m still bജattling for this championship.

“I’m in a good moment, we came from Indonesia, Japan and Australia t♚hat were all really, really good.

“Australia was really goo✅d. I wanted to win but it was really difficult. I’m confident for 🍎this race.

“For sure it wi🍎ll be really hot, really difficult. I think both Marc and Pecco will be reall🦹y strong. So, I think it will be a really tough weekend.”