It's starting to tighten up in the MotoGP™ World Championship fight after Ducati Lenovo Team's Enea Bastianini bagged a career-first double and Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) cashed in on Pecco Bagnaia's (Ducati Lenovo Team) Saturday error. Now only 49 points separate the top three in the title chase and we head into the final half of the season.
A fascinating title fight too, with Martin, now the leader, leaving for Aprilia and Bastianini leaving for KTM at the conclusion of the year.
Bastianini: "I didn't understand Ducati's decision"
We thought the dust had settled on Ducati's decision to promote Marc Marquez to the factory team over Jorge Martin and Enea Bastianini, but The Beast has sparked the debate once again after saying he failed to understand Dall'Igna and co's call. How will it impact what is going to be a gripping finale to the season?
"I didn't understand Ducati's decision. They have lost two riders like Jorge and I. But hey, I respect the decision."
Marquez: "Without the crash of Saturday, maybe today the podium was possible"
The eight-time World Champion didn't have an easy weekend as he failed to find the perfect setup. But, as usual, he found his best on Sunday as he salvaged a fourth place finish. But, the Gresini Racing man said it could've been one better if not for his Sprint crash.
"Without the crash of Saturday, maybe today the podium was possible - or maybe another crash! You never know! But I mean when I overtook Aleix I just pushed for two or three laps to open a gap and then I was controlling it more behind Pecco. I cannot afford to make 2 mistakes, both yesterday and today. So for that reason today I preferred to finish and to have a good feeling for Austria then arrive there without any confidence."
Acosta: "We should start working more as a team"
There was yet again a sense of frustration around KTM and GASGAS as the Austrians failed to be in the mix all weekend. The 20-year-old, speaking after the race, explained that the nature of the Silverstone circuit did not suit the hard-braking style of the KTM RC16. A fast and flowing circuit, Silverstone did not allow Acosta to use 'V' lines through corners that usually gets the best out of his bike.
He was also left frustrated at the four riders not working as one. He felt Ducati had the upper hand on Sunday due to the work they had done as a unit over the course of the weekend.
"We’ve gone in to the race blind. I think we should start working more as a team, looking at the overall issues rather than just individual ones. Because the problems we have, if not exactly the same, are more or less in the same direction."
Viñales: "We have gone backwards"
A disastrous weekend for the Americas Grand Prix winner resulted in some strong words afterwards. 8th in the Sprint, followed by 13th in the Grand Prix saw the Spaniard searching for answers at the conclusion of the weekend. He feels it's not that Ducati have improved in recent weeks, but that Aprilia have gone backwards.
"The factory has to react because we have not reached the level that should be demanded of Aprilia for three or four races. I think that we are the ones who have gone from bad to worse. I do not think that Ducati has made a huge step forward, but rather that we have gone backwards."
Miller: "It ain't looking good"
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Jack Miller was open and honest ahead of the weekend when asked about his chances of remaining on the MotoGP™ grid next year. It appears like nearly all of the seats have been closed for 2025, with a Prima Pramac Yamaha seat alongside likely Miguel Oliveira the only chance for Miller to extend his stay.
"I'm holding out hope until all doors are closed. But honestly speaking it ain't looking good. We'll try our best to do something in the second half of the season. Obviously all good things come to an end, but things are ending not on my terms. But, it rarely does in racing.
"Especially with what I've given to the sport and what I feel I still have to give to the sport, it's a tough one. But like I said, it's never over until it's over. All I can do is try and put some decent results on the board and hopefully my phone will call at some point."
A Fernandez: "That’s one of the options"
Another ride who it appears won't be on the MotoGP™ grid next year is Augusto Fernandez. The Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 rider did confirm on Sunday evening, though, that Yamaha have made an approach to join their Test Team from next year. But, the Mallorcan stressed his priority remains to race next year.
"There’s a few things on the table fortunately. It’s one of the things I’m considering. We need to also look at the other options. I want to race, that’s my priority. I still feel I have a lot to give. But yeah, that’s one of the options right now."
Dall'Igna: "We are not relaxing"
We had confirmation over the weekend that Pertamina Enduro VR46 would become Ducati's official support team from 2025 onwards, with the Italian outfit receiving one GP25 and one GP24. It sees the Bologna factory reduce their number of full-factory down to three from four, whilst the other four factories continue to supply four. So is Ducati chief Gigi Dall'Igna taking his foot off the gas?
"We are not relaxing. We want to win and we will do our best for that to happen. I don’t think having four factory bikes instead of three is that important for the performance of the official riders."