This time final week in Indonesia, Bagnaia misplaced the title result in Martin after the Pramac rider received the dash and moved seven factors clear.
However a crash for Martin in Sunday’s foremost race and a win for Bagnaia put the reigning champion 18 clear coming to Australia.
Bagnaia certified third having come via Q1 at Phillip Island on Saturday and completed the grand prix second, after long-time chief Martin dropped to fifth as his tender tyre gamble backfired.
The hole between the pair now stands at 27 factors heading into Sunday’s rescheduled dash contest, climate situations allowing, however Bagnaia is cautious of getting too assured regardless of the most recent title race swing.
“Completely, however toes on the bottom,” he stated when requested if this was an vital day in his title defence.
“We all know how issues can change. I used to be 66 factors hole after Barcelona [sprint] and we misplaced the management in a second.
“So, it’s very straightforward to begin having issues.
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Group
“It’s crucial to do weekends like this one, like Mandalika, being quick if you end up struggling and at all times making an attempt to be on the high.”
Bagnaia believes his second consecutive Q1 look was a results of him specializing in working with the medium rear tyre in follow on Friday, and was satisfied he would be capable to catch Martin in Saturday’s grand prix when he noticed his hole cease rising.
“I feel we missed Q2 simply because we did extra laps on the medium, making an attempt extra laps on the medium,” he added.
“This yr the grip degree was lower than final yr and the efficiency was sooner.
“So, we had been sooner with much less grip. I used to be positive the medium was already struggling to do all of the race, however this morning [in final practice] we managed to do a very good job.
“It was crucial to begin from the entrance row, and we did it. Within the race, in a single second I used to be a bit frightened after I additionally noticed Binder going away.
“However after I noticed Jorge was caught with the identical hole, I stated ‘okay, we’ll catch him’. I used to be anticipating to catch him a bit earlier than however on the final lap we did it and it was excellent.”