I don't want to think about the future (2024)

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The Italian GP wasn't exactly a quiet one, was it? There was plenty going on and lots to discuss, with silly season rumours continuing to swirl. Let's have a gander at some of the talking points that surfaced at Mugello.

“We don’t have the confirmation written”

Chatting in pitlane on Saturday morning, Ducati Sporting Director, Mauro Grassilli, offered his thoughts on the situation regarding Prima Pramac Racing and their Ducati future, with rumours floating that they could be joining Yamaha at the end of the season.

“As I told you before we worked a lot to have Pramac for the next two years, so of course we are very happy with what Gino said yesterday. We don’t have the confirmation written but we are looking forward to having it as soon as possible.”

“Marc is not available”

The hot topic of the weekend was the decision surrounding Ducati’s spare factory seat and what it could mean for other factories. Chatting to British broadcaster TNT Sports on Saturday, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager Francesco Guidotti had his say on whether KTM would sign Marc Marquez if he was available.

“Because he wasn't, I mean he wasn’t. Marc is not available, as far as I know, as far as he declared, he wants to stay where he is. It’s strange that he would change. We have to be realistic. We have to talk about what it is, not what it could be or what he was or what he will.”

“Pedro is at another level”

Staying on the subject of KTM, the Austrian factory confirmed at Mugello that Pedro Acosta will be making the switch from Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 red to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing orange in 2025. Here’s what Brad Binder had to say about the news:

“It’s really cool to have a fast teammate and Pedro is at another level. The way he rides the bike is so special. I have a lot to learn from him. He has a good attitude, I think he will fit well with our team. He is a happy dude.

“Even though we have different colours, we are one team, we are all in the same mission. I don’t think it will change something from my side. Should be cool.”

“I don’t want to think about the future”

Talk surrounding the rider market continued at Mugello, with Bastianini’s 2025 plans remaining unconfirmed. However, after a strong result on Sunday, and showing some incredible late-race pace, The Beast insists that he is focusing on the present and not the future.

“Future, future, future. I want to think about the present because we think a lot about the future, but I want to enjoy this day as it has been really difficult because I have made some mistakes and the team has also made some mistakes and that happens sometimes.

“Today is a great day. Usually, I’m not happy about the second place, but today I’m really happy and I don't want to think about the future.”

“It’s important to be consistent”

Other than qualifying P2 and having a three-place grid penalty on Sunday, the Italian GP was a perfect weekend for Bagnaia. Now looking towards Assen, Bagnaia explained what he needs to do to carry his momentum on from Mugello.

“Don’t crash again, for sure. It’s important to be constant and have the same consistency in terms of work, in terms of results. Assen is always great to me, but I remember well that Jorge last year was three or four-tenths faster each lap in the last six laps of the race. So, it will be tricky, but I think our bike this year can help us a bit in Assen.

“I will try to keep this momentum because it’s important for the championship, but also for myself and the team. I know our potential and I know how good we are.”

“I still don’t know why I crashed”

It was a mixed weekend for Martin. After qualifying on pole and setting an incredible 1:44.504 lap record, the #89 dropped to third in the Tissot Sprint before crashing with four laps remaining. Responding well to finish P3 on Sunday, Martin looked back at the crash and the overnight changes that were made.

“I still don’t know why I crashed, but sometimes these things happen. It’s not the first time that it has happened to me like in Jerez and it happened to Pecco at Montmelo in the Sprint. We have to solve this problem because crashing without knowing is not good for our confidence.

“Normally my strategy is to not touch the bike, leaving everything as it is and understanding how to be fast. But from yesterday to today (Sunday), I had to make a big change and it was worth it.”

“No expectations”

Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) has claimed three Sunday podiums so far in 2024, and came close again at Mugello, but he's yet to take that coveted first victory with Ducati. However, with his stomping ground - the Sachsenring - looming at the start of July, expectations will be high outside the Marquez camp bubble. However, the eight-time World Champion insists there are no expectations for the coming rounds.

“One thing that I learned is that I cannot go to a race track with big expectations or with low expectations, I need to understand on Friday where I am because here, I expect that I will suffer a lot, and I was at the front.

“So, let's see we may arrive at Sachsenring and I'm not able to fight for victory. So, no expectations. Last year I arrived at the Sachsenring and went out by ambulance!”

“We lost two good opportunities”

After crashes in both the French and Catalan GPs, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) finished fifth on Sunday in Italy. Acosta bagged some solid points, adding to his two podiums at the Portuguese and Americas GPs. But Acosta doesn't race to finish P5. Heading into a short spring break, the #31 reflected on the start of his MotoGP™ career.

“Not a disaster, but to be honest, it could be much better but it also could be much worse. It’s true that we lost two good opportunities in Le Mans and Barcelona, but it’s part of the learning process.

“It’s also true that after these seven races, everything has become clearer to us and we have many things to try and to think about across the next races.”

“It’s not arm pump”

Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ Team) had a tough weekend at Mugello, qualifying down in 15^th and crossing the line to take 18^th on Sunday. The Frenchman struggled with pain in his arms during the Grand Prix with work still to do to find a solution.

“From mid-race, I had an issue with my arms, so I could not really ride. We have to improve this area because it's not arm pump, it's just that my arms are clearly on the limit on this kind of track, so we have to find the solution.”

A three-week break now faces the paddock before a trip to The Cathedral of Speed.