“I have to give myself a wake-up call. I hope to come back and fight for first place. The one I’m entitled to.“” Pecco Bagnaia’s words resonate like a big wake-up call on the eve of the Grand Prix of the Americas scheduled for this weekend in Austin, Texas. Who would have guessed that only two races in, the three-time world champion was already 31 points behind bulky teammate Marc Marquez, who in two ends won everything (pole, sprint and race)?

Similarly, who would have thought that always after only two gp in the Red Bull house the much-discussed decision is made regarding the very official Liam Lawson, who after a difficult start to the season will be relegated to the “satellite” Visa Cash App Racing Bulls team starting with the Japanese GP, while Yuki Tsunoda is promoted and will race for Oracle Red Bull Racing.

An astronomical pressure for Bagnaia watered by the burning disappointment of finding himself alone or almost alone in this titanic undertaking. In two GPs Marc has taken the red box with Ducati dancing to the notes of Queen’s ‘We will rock you,’ with the Ducati team guys and brother Alex) chanting the chorus ‘Marc is on fire.’

And if Pecco may feel under pressure, similarly-though for different reasons-the ruthless motorsport world has not spared young Lawson. “We entered the 2025 season with two goals: to retain the World Drivers’ Championship and to regain the Constructors’ World Championship title, and this is a purely sporting decision.” said Christian Horner, Team Principal of Red Bull on the anticipated change.

But what goes on in the heads of the drivers during such difficult times? Superheroes to the fans but humans as soon as the pit shutter closes? We talked about this with Dr. Riccardo Ceccarelli, founder of Formula Medicine and Mental Economy based in Viareggio, which operates in all the major motorsport championships starting with Formula 1.

“As a first thing, you have to remember that these guys once they get to race at the top, whether Motogp or F1, they are already race-bred and it’s really in the racer’s DNA to be able to turn pressure and anger into adrenaline.”

How do you see Bagnaia’s situation?

“That Pecco may struggle to keep up with an eight-time world champion may be there for a thousand reasons, I was weirded out by the big celebrations in the pits so early in the season because they risk marginalizing Pecco and putting him in even more of a crisis.  For Gigi Dall’Igna and Ducati, who strongly wanted Marc, it’s a winning bet, as well as regenerating Marc. So I can understand, although the psychological aspect is fundamental in MotoGP, because you have to be in perfect mental balance on 2 wheels.

Ducati will want to win with both riders

“I believe it too and I am convinced that Tardozzi, who is very attentive and sensitive with the riders, will work with Pecco, who also in the past has shown a great ability to get back up after difficulties.”

Sunday’s race is in Austin, Marc’s fiefdom. Is Pecco called upon to react immediately?

“It would be wrong to rush, because the championship is still long and I am convinced that Bagnaia will come back. A first reaction could already be to close second even dueling and beating Alex, the brother, because that was also destabilizing.”

The pressure started with the signing of Marquez in the official team, in some way Leclerc may have also experienced a similar feeling with the arrival of Hamilton.

“For sure, a bulky partner can destabilize a little bit, but Charles is also a very strong driver psychologically and we saw how on Sunday in China he reacted very well compared to the Sprint, turning with a faster pace than Lewis.”

Red Bull’s decision is likely to create triple tension.

“Exactly. Lawson gets on the Racing Bulls with a feeling of rejection, Tsunoda is obliged to go better than Liam and also the Red Bull team is under scrutiny because if Yuki does not perform, the car could be questioned. It is true that Dr. Marko has always been very hard on the drivers, a strategy that is also a measure of driver selection, of seeing how they react in difficulties. In this Mac, besides being immense in extracting the best possible from the car, also an incredible ability to withstand pressure.

What would you recommend in this case?

“To do a reset. the brain is like a pc. Lawson and Tsunoda should reset and start from scratch with a clear mind.”

Photo: Courtesy of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls