Ducati secures 2024 title after Thai race victory
Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia and the Ducati Lenovo Team have scored an important win in the 26-lap, Thai Grand Prix race, which took place in wet conditions at the Chang International Circuit. Enea Bastianini made it to the chequered flag in fourteenth place, after crashing out in the first half of the encounter.
“The battle with Marc [Márquez] was really good and before his crash, we were really lapping at an incredible pace. I’d like to dedicate this win to the team, because as usual they have done a fantastic job,” said Bagnaia.
Bagnaia had a good start from pole, before bridging the gap to the then-leader Martín and taking the lead on lap five, as the rival went wide. Pecco had then to defend his position from a resurging Marc Marquez, with the latter crashing out with thirteen laps left. From then on, the reigning world champion managed perfectly his margin over the following riders as, ultimately crossing the line a lonely winner.
Bastianini lost several positions at the start due to a coming together with an opponent at turn one. After finding himself outside the top ten, Enea managed to make his way back to sixth place, before tucking the front at turn eight during the ninth lap. He managed to re-join the encounter and to return inside the top 15 to finish fourteenth.
As the eighteenth Grand Prix of the season draws to a close, Bagnaia is still second in the championship standings, albeit now with a 17-point gap to Martín. Bastianini is fourth,108 points in arrears, and mathematically out of contention for the title. After Ducati’s Constructors’ championship title win, the Ducati Lenovo Team secures the 2024 Team World Championship title.
The Ducati Lenovo Team will be back in action on Friday at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, for the penultimate event of the season.
