Francesco Bagnaia on Jorge Martin battle as showdown looms - 'Pressure different but ambition the same'

Francesco Bagnaia says he has to be "happy whatever will be" as he bids to retain the MotoGP world championship this weekend, live on TNT Sports.

After a compelling, season-long battle, the Italian holds a 21-point lead over his championship rival Jorge Martin and needs 16 points across Saturday’s Sprint race and Sunday’s Grand Prix to seal the title.

Bagnaia, though, insisted he will not play it safe in his bid to join Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez as the only back-to-back MotoGP world champions.

“I feel it is different,” he said on the challenge of retaining the title compared to winning his first world championship.

“We had to face many, many situations this year that were not the best, but in any case battling again to win the title is fantastic. It’s the third year in a row we are the most consistent rider and team.

“We have to be happy whatever will be. In any case our ambition is to win, continue what we have done all season. It’s true the pressure is different but the ambition is the same.”

The Italian enjoyed a similar lead heading into the final race of last season, when he held a 23-point advantage over Fabio Quartararo. A ninth-placed finish was enough to seal the title in Valencia 12 months ago, but Bagnaia wants more this time around.

“Last year we were in a different situation because we were very competitive, very fast and Fabio was struggling a lot with his bike,” he added.

“This year me and Jorge have the same bike with the same potential. We were battling from India, [that] was the first time we had this close gap, so I think it’s more in the same level.”

Martin has not given up hope of springing a surprise to win his first MotoGP world title in front of a home crowd.

The Spaniard is taking inspiration from a dramatic climax to the championship 17 years ago when Nicky Hayden snatched the title from Rossi.

“I just can think about Valencia 2006 when Nicky Hayden won and I think all the bets were on Valentino and then everything changed,” said Martin. “Now we have two chances to make points, change the possibilities and let’s see if we can do it.”

Bagnaia could seal the championship as early as Saturday should he build up a 25-point lead over Martin thanks to his six race wins this season to the Prima Pramac rider’s four. Coverage of the Sprint race is live on TNT Sports from 13.30 UK time on Saturday.

Martin, however, won the early mind games as he was second fastest in practice on Friday, with Bagnaia way down in 15th.

The final Grand Prix of the 2023 season is live from 13.15 UK time on Sunday on TNT Sports 2.

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