Thailand GP: Morbidelli apologizes to Bagnaia, who he deprived of a direct passage to Q2

This season, we expect to see a knife-edge duel between the two official Ducati riders, Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia. However, it was not with his new teammate that the Italian experienced his first friction of the year, right from the second official session in Buriram (Thailand).

'Pecco' was aiming for a top-10 finish to secure his direct qualification for Q2 on Saturday, but the Ducati rider struggled to find the rhythm and found himself out of the qualifying places with just seconds to go. He had one last attempt before the chequered flag was shown to him, but it was cut short. The double world champion had to abort his lap after nearly hitting Franco Morbidelli, who was slowing down on the line.

"I'm really sorry about that episode with Pecco (Bagnaia). It was a borderline situation, they were still picking up Marco Bezzecchi's bike and two riders slowed down at Turn 4, so I braked too but I didn't see the yellow flag." describes the new VR46 pilot, aware of his responsibility. I turned around and saw Pecco coming very quickly. It was clearly a mistake. I will work to try not to repeat that, because it happens to me a little too often."

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Francesco Bagnaia not holding a grudge

Franco Morbidelli also had a good session, taking the 5th fastest time in the tests, which ensured him a direct place in Q2. However, he was penalised three places on the starting grid for his interference with the outgoing vice-world champion. “He came to ask me for forgiveness.” revealed Pecco Bagnaia after the session. "I saw the whole situation and he wasn't the only one slowing down. He braked because the guys in front of him braked before. I was just unlucky to be there."

The good relationship between the friends will clearly not be affected by this incident, but for Pecco Bagnaia it means that he will have to grab one of the last two qualifying places for Q2, which will be fought over by the twelve riders forced to go through Q1. Among them are Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46 Ducati), Enea Bastianini, Maverick Viñales (Tech3 KTM) and Brad Binder (KTM), to name a few. For Pecco Bagnaia, a double world champion, it must be even more painful to see that his new teammate Marc Marquez is shining brightly. First in FP1, the Catalan easily qualified for Q2 with the second fastest time behind his brother Alex (Gresini Ducati). The match is on.

End of the # Day1 action at #ThaiGP 💪🇹🇭

➡️@marcmarquez93 P2
➡️ @PeccoBagnaia P13#ForzaDucati #DucatiLenovoTeam pic.twitter.com/zaqDeNi4yf

- Ducati Corse (@ducaticorse) February 28, 2025