Double reigning MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia has revealed he isn’t “prepared” to race at Valencia for the season finale if it goes ahead as scheduled.
Deadly floods have affected the city of Valencia and its surrounding areas, impacting the Circuit Ricardo Tormo.
The 2024 MotoGP season is set to conclude in Valencia on 15th-17th November. However, this date appears to be in doubt due to the damage caused to the city and the track’s infrastructure.
Autosport and Sky Italy report that MotoGP still plans to hold the Grand Prix in Valencia, though it could be delayed by a week.
Bagnaia released a strong statement in his debrief on Friday regarding his views on the matter.
“It depends on where it is held, because I don’t think it is fair in any case for it to be held in Valencia,” he told the Italian media.
“I sincerely hope that they will take into consideration the fact that, on an ethical level and given what is happening, it is not the right thing to do.
“Even at the cost of losing my ultimate goal, which is to win the title, I am not prepared to race in Valencia.
“I very much hope that they will take into consideration the fact that on an ethical level and with what is happening it is not the right thing to do.”
Both Dorna and the FIM are expected to make statements later on Friday.
Francesco Bagnaia’s mentality remains the same
The factory Ducati rider has clarified that he would not race in Valencia if it goes as planned. Still, his mentality has not changed, considering the precarious situation in which the championship now finds itself.
The Torinese rider is 17 points behind Jorge Martin in the standings and has had a positive Friday so far, topping the timesheets in both practice sessions in Sepang.
“Honestly no,” he said. “I know that the important thing is to win, I have to win in any case, so for me the objective is that one, and I wanted to start well, I wanted to work well, and try to be constant and competitive in every situation.
“It’s from Assen that I was not leading both [Friday] sessions, and it’s the second time in my career, so this is great but we have to be focused on this race weekend and try to do the maximum.”
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