MotoGP title rivals trumpet but ‘don’t understand why we have to be enemies’

Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin have expressed their views on their fight for the lead in the MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix, calling it an “incredible battle for history”.

The two drivers started side by side on the grid, with Bagnaia in pole position and taking the holeshot at Turn 1 beyond the finish line during the 19-lap Grand Prix at Sepang.

Within the first three laps, both pairs had 11 overtakes to take the lead, with the championship on the line.

Bagnaia ultimately prevailed and won his 10th Grand Prix of the season by 3.1 seconds, reducing Martin’s lead in the championship to 24 points, forcing a showdown in the final round.

Martin’s opinion during the battle was: “It was a great race. I liked it very much.

“Thank you Pecco, because even though we were so aggressive between us, there was always this respect.

“We don’t want to race to destroy each other’s race. We want to win, both of us. So I think it was a nice performance for the fans.”

Bagnaia felt the fight was “borderline” but didn’t see any problems with it.

“He was stronger in turn five, he gained a lot there,” said Bagnaia.

“But I was very strong in all the corner entries. I think he had to go over the limit to overtake me and attack me.

“Twice I saw him lose the front again and the fight was very, very close.

“But I was very good at braking and in the last corner I always attacked with maximum power and that was a good strategy.”

Bagnaia said after the race that he had no intention of supporting Martin in the pursuit group because it would be unfair in their fight for the championship.

The hard-fought fight between the pair at Sepang and the subsequent positive reaction to it characterize the respect that remained between the pair throughout the 2024 title fight.

“For me it’s very easy because I’m not the type of guy who wants to be rude off the track and has to be rude on the track and aggressive, pushing himself, being the one who doesn’t respect his rivals,” Bagnaia replied when asked how he maintains cordial relationship with Martin.

“I have never been like that and I will never be like that. If Jorge starts doing this, I will change, but Jorge is more or less the same as me.

“So definitely respect is the most important thing and from my point of view it always will be. So I don’t understand why off the track we have to be enemies, not talk to each other or be rude.

Martin adds that the respect between the pair stems from their time as team-mates in Moto3 10 years ago.