'Like a robot' - Jorge Lorenzo labels Francesco Bagnaia as MotoGP title 'favourite' after new Ducati deal

Three-time MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo has described Francesco Bagnaia as “like a robot, similar to how I was” after he signed a new deal with Ducati.

Bagnaia, who has won the MotoGP title for the last two seasons, has penned a new deal with Ducati until the end of 2026.

The announcement comes less than a week before the new MotoGP season kicks off in Qatar on March 10, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Looking ahead to Bagnaia’s prospects of making it a hat-trick of titles, Lorenzo told MotoGP.com: “I think Pecco is that kind of rider who is like a robot, similar to how I was.

“They need everything perfect to feel strong and when they feel strong, they’re unbeatable.

"The two titles he’s won have made him believe in himself much more and now his confidence is in the sky. He knows the bike perfectly because since 2019 he’s been on the same bike, he’s made the evolution of the Ducati in the last few years and Ducati have taken his notes to create the bike to his riding style, so this is very important.

"That’s what he’s done this pre-season – try to show his rivals that he’s still the best, still the number one, to make them put their head down and not improve their confidence. I think his strategy was perfect but now it’s time for racing."

Bagnaia finished the 2023 season strongly to hold off the challenge of Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) and defend his title.

For Lorenzo, Bagnaia starts as the favourite ahead of the new season, but is not without several strong rivals.

"Now people understand that Pecco is one of the best and one of the favourites,” said Lorenzo.

“He has a top talent and as I said, when everything is under control, he’s able to be unbeatable at some tracks. So he is very strong, he’s already a two-time world champion.

"But anyway this is MotoGP and they’re the best riders on the planet. Marc Marquez has the best bike, maybe not the best bike because he has the 2023 bike and it looks like the 2024 Ducati has improved a lot, but with the best company bike let’s say.

“[Enea] Bastianini will feel better and Jorge Martin wants to become champion for the first time, so for sure he won’t have an easy job. But we can’t deny that Pecco is one of the strongest and for me, at the moment, until someone does something he’s the favourite."

Lorenzo also thinks Martin could be a “very dangerous” rival if he learns from his experiences of last season.

"For sure Jorge made a big step forward from 2022 to 2023. He prepared himself more to be stronger and he worked a lot in pre-season, and he demonstrated it on the track.

“He was much more consistent, he didn’t have the ups and downs that he had in his first years in MotoGP and he was runner-up, fighting until the last race of the Championship.

"I think he couldn’t get it (the title) because of experience, maybe he was so emotional or a little bit overconfident, for example in Indonesia when he crashed while leading by three seconds.

“So in some circumstances, he needs to find a way to be calmer and not be so hot because one little mistake can cost you many points and make you lose the championship. So if he learns to manage this situation he can be very dangerous for Pecco and the rest of the riders this year."

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