“20 Points Isn’t a Huge Gap”: Quotes, Insights, and Highlights from Thursday at the PT Grand Prix of Thailand
As the 2024 MotoGP™ season approaches its final rounds, the championship battle heats up at the PT Grand Prix of Thailand. With three races to go, riders and teams are setting their sights on the final stretch of the season. At Buriram’s Circuit, where high-stakes racing and intense heat are guaranteed, Thursday’s press conferences gave us a preview of what’s to come as the top contenders shared their expectations and strategies for the weekend ahead.
Key Talking Points from the Press Conference
Title Contenders and Star Riders Take the Stage
The first press conference featured championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), his title rival Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), and recent Australian GP winner Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™). The second session followed with Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), and Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team), as they all discussed their goals and the challenges they expect in Buriram.
Headline Quotes from Thursday
Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing)
Buriram has been a strong venue for Martin, and he’s confident about a repeat performance.
“I’m thrilled to still be in the fight for the World Championship. Coming off of strong results in Indonesia, Japan, and Australia, I’m in a good place. Australia was tough, and while I aimed for the win, it just wasn’t possible. I feel confident here, but it’s going to be a hot and challenging race weekend. Both Marc and Pecco are in great form, so I think we’re in for a tough battle.”
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team)
Bagnaia acknowledges the need to reclaim points from Martin and believes Buriram could give him an edge.
“The goal is to claw back some points and be competitive. This track suits me better than Phillip Island, where I’ve podiumed in the past but haven’t always had the pace I wanted. This year, I struggled with tyre management and setup changes that were just a bit too late. But here in Buriram, I love the layout and feel we’ll be able to show our potential for a strong weekend.”
Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™)
Marquez is optimistic but remains realistic about the level of competition.
“These two [Martin and Bagnaia] are going to set the bar high, but we’re making solid progress. The last few races have been strong, and I’m looking forward to seeing if we can get on the podium here. We’re definitely going to give it everything we’ve got.”
Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
Binder aims to leverage KTM’s past successes at Buriram for another strong finish.
“This track has been good to us, not just last year but before that too. We tried some new setups at Phillip Island that seem to be working well, so I’m excited to get back out there. My goal is to fight for the win, and I’m pushing hard to make up some points.”
Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)
Returning from a setback, Di Giannantonio hopes to end his season on a high note.
“Phillip Island was fantastic for us, and it felt great to be competitive again after the difficulties in Austria. It’s a bit bittersweet as I’ve never had to end a season due to an injury. This weekend, I want to give my all for myself and the team. Ending with a podium would be incredible, especially as I missed out on it last year.”
Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team)
Marini is focused on achieving a top-10 finish by securing a strong setup early in the weekend.
“Friday will be key, as it’s always a new process with setup adjustments and getting a feel for the bike at each track. We’ve made real progress in recent races, and while the bike is handling better, we still have some areas to work on. This track demands a lot of power, so we’ll need to optimize the grip. If we can secure a good grid position, we could be in for a positive race.”
What’s Next?
With these key insights, all eyes turn to Friday as track action begins. Riders are gearing up to tackle the heat and unique demands of Buriram, with everything still to play for as the 2024 championship battle nears its climax.
Images: MotoGP
