Pecco Bagnaia’s performance in the Argentina GP practice revealed he is still not a match for teammate Marc Marquez, who set a new lap record. Bagnaia struggled with grip and crashed during a time attack but qualified for Q2 narrowly. Despite showing some improvement in braking, he remains at a competitive disadvantage against Marquez’s proven speed and experience.
The 2025 MotoGP season has commenced with Pecco Bagnaia facing intense scrutiny in light of Marc Marquez’s performance. During the Argentina Grand Prix, Marquez proved dominant by securing an all-time lap record, whereas Bagnaia struggled to place 16th, trailing by 1.351 seconds. The challenging grip conditions at Termas de Rio Hondo contributed to Bagnaia’s difficulties, culminating in a crash just as he attempted a fast lap.
Despite his struggles, Bagnaia managed to qualify for Q2 narrowly, thanks to a last-minute improvement. His eventual lap time of 1m37.834s was not sufficient for a comfortable top-six standing, whereas Marquez set a blistering pace with a new record of 1m37.295s, demonstrating his ongoing speed and control. The session exposed the growing divide between Bagnaia and his teammate, advancing the narrative that he is still not “ready” to challenge Marquez.
In reflecting upon recent races, Bagnaia has expressed frustration with his performance, particularly after the Thai GP where he was outperformed by both Marquez siblings. He attributed some difficulties to external factors and showed improvement during practice in Argentina, reporting a return of confidence in his braking ability.
As Marquez prepared for the event, he acknowledged the strength of several competitors, including Bagnaia, but suggested that his data and past experiences provided him with a significant edge. Bagnaia’s improvement on soft tyres showcased a potential for faster laps, yet his medium tyre performance suggests he remains at a competitive disadvantage.
The dynamics at the Argentina circuit reflect the ongoing challenge Bagnaia faces against Marquez, an accomplished competitor with an exceptional track record. As the weekend progresses, the evolving conditions on the track may influence race strategies, yet Marquez appears poised for continued dominance, while Bagnaia must navigate another opportunity for learning and improvement.
In summary, while Pecco Bagnaia shows signs of progress, particularly in practice, he remains significantly behind Marc Marquez, who has showcased remarkable performance and adaptability. Bagnaia’s qualifying challenges and laps during practice indicate a need for further development to contend at Marquez’s level. The upcoming races will be crucial for Bagnaia to build on recent improvements and close the gap with his teammate.
Original Source: www.crash.net
