There is no better place than Malaysia for Enea Bastianini to leave behind the disappointment of the crash that relegated him to 14th place in the Thai GP, and return to the hunt for third place in the championship, currently occupied by Marc Marquez. In the past, in fact, the Sepang track has always been kind to the Ducati rider, who in 2023 managed to take a splendid success at the end of a very complicated year.
"It is one of my favorite tracks and I have a really good memory of last year, because after a difficult period arrived that victory. It was so emotional for me," recalled the Rimini native.
Returning to the top step of the podium will not be easy, but trying to repeat the achievement can only be Enea's goal for this weekend.
"Every year is different, so there are different variables, however, it is a circuit that suits my riding style well and where I have also been fast in the past. Of course, it's difficult to repeat that result, but I'm here to try," confirmed the 26-year-old, before explaining why he performs so well at the Malaysian circuit, "Probably because one of my strongest points is the corners on the right side, and also the fast corners on the right side.
Here we have too much of this and usually when we compare the data in that point, I'm much stronger compared to the other Ducati riders. But never say never, we have to try tomorrow and see if I can be competitive because every year is different."
The ingredients to do well all seem to be in place. Also because Bastianini will be free to do his race, without having to worry about the title fight between Bagnaia and Martin.
"Yeah, I am completely free. I have also me something to bring home at the end of the season: I can bring that third place in the championship and I'm really close to it - he underlined - Also Marc Marquez, also me in the last period have committed some mistakes, we have lost some points, but I need to close that small gap to try to fight with him inValencia."
With storm Dana bringing Valencia and other cities in Spain to their knees, the race at the "Ricardo Tormo" circuit is highly at risk and the Ducati rider could not help but express an opinion on what has happened in recent hours.
"It is a critical situation, which we have also experienced in Romagna, so we know what it means. I think of all the families who have unfortunately lost someone, or can no longer meet. These are catastrophes that mark you, so the priority at the moment is to stay close to these people," Enea said.
"Of course, we will also have to think about the Grand Prix and decide what to do, but it is not up to me to figure out what is best. It is a matter I prefer to stay out of, because it is a delicate situation. It would be nice to go there also for the people who have suffered damage, but on the other hand it's a bit of a critical situation."
The Romagna native then spoke about the return to MotoGP of Andrea Iannone as Fabio Di Giannantonio's replacement.
"I'm excited and I think he could also be competitive. Iannone is one of the greatest Italian talents and I think he will like the bike, which has changed from the one he used in the past ," he commented , "I'm curious to see how he will be after the first practice."
Turning his gaze back to Buriram, despite disappointment about the crash that compromised his race, the Beast can still be happy with his speed and progress in the wet.
"The second part of the race was very positive. We didn't understand the reasons for the crash, because the speed and lean angle were the same as the previous lap. Other than that, though, I was fast. I lapped in 1'39", it was a competitive time. I had the pace for the podium, and from that point of view I am satisfied, because it was important to improve in the wet as well, and we made a step forward in those conditions," he concluded.
