The reigning world champion heads into this weekend’s final round of the 2023 season 21 points clear of rival Jorge Martin, after the latter struggled to 10th in the Qatar Grand Prix with a tyre issue.
Bagnaia can secure the 2023 title in the sprint race on Saturday in Valencia if he outscores Martin by at least four points.
It echoes the situation he faced last year coming into the Valencia finale battling Fabio Quartararo for the championship, with Bagnaia leading the Frenchman by 23 points.
But he concedes that the challenge he faces now is tougher, not least against a rider in Martin who is on identical machinery.
“It’s for sure the hardest one, also because I made many mistakes this season and we arrive in a situation where I can have many more points but with as many mistakes as I did, we arrive now still in the battle,” said Bagnaia, who also fought for and won the 2018 Moto2 title.
“And fighting against a rider who is so strong and with so energetic when he is on track in time attack or sprint race is not easy, considering also that he has my bike and we can share data.
“So, for sure, compared to last year it’s much, much harder and I think we are managing well the situation considering every Sunday we are very strong.
Source: Autosport