Pecco Bagnaia meets Q2 “objective” despite “messing up”

Francesco Bagnaia is guaranteed to start the Brazilian MotoGP from a better grid position than in Thailand - barring any Saturday penalties - after securing direct Qualifying 2 access on Friday at Goiania.

The Ducati Lenovo rider was ninth on wet tyres in FP1, then again using slicks on a tricky, damp track in afternoon Practice - despite ‘messing up’ at Turns 9 and 10 on his fastest lap.

"First of all, the track is awesome, it's beautiful. Fun, technical, fast,” Bagnaia told Sky Italia.

“Small, yes, but it's a little different from Hungary, which is just like racing in a parking lot. It's exciting here, you have to link up a lot of corners, you have to carry a lot of speed... I really enjoy it.

“And it was a shame today that I couldn't do so many laps in the dry, but the little I felt was positive.

“The bike gave me a good feeling. Normally in those conditions last year I was really in trouble. This time I felt comfortable.

“I just did a very slow corner 9 and 10, I messed it up a bit and lost a lot of time, but it was enough to get into Q2 which was the objective today. I’m quite happy.”

The weather forecast remains uncertain heading into Saturday, and Bagnaia is unsure the track will fully dry even if conditions improve.

“I don't think we'll see this track completely dry, because today several areas haven't dried at all, and I don't think they'll dry out,” he said.

Bagnaia failed to advance from Qualifying 1 at Buriram, leaving him 13th on the grid for both Thai races.

By securing direct Q2 access in Brazil, the double MotoGP champion is set to claim a top 12 on the grid.

Team-mate and reigning champion Marc Marquez was the top Ducati rider in second, behind Honda's Johann Zarco.