He has a 27-point lead above second-placed Jorge Martin heading into this weekend’🦄s Thailand MotoGP.

Martin led for just 24 hours in Indonesia after winn👍ing the sprint, but he crashed out of the grand prix to relไinquish his short-lived lead.

“Obviously I have to push for 37 points each weekend, there is no time to t𒅌hink about the championship,” factory Ducati rider and reigning champion Bagnaia said. 

“We can start considering it after Q🗹atar. After Qatar, we will understand the situation of the championsh🔜ip.”

Last year Bagnaia pipped Fabio Quartararo to the title in the final race in Valencia, and he expects the battle to go ꦫdown to the wire again.

“It could be,” he said. “I lost many points in many mista🅷kes. I also had bad luck. But I’ve lost points. “In the past two weekends I did a great job in the races to ope𒐪n the gap. 

“But 27 points is🐟n’t enough to be relaxed. I know perfectly how tough it is, to arrive in Valencia, but it could happen.”

“Faster? It’s important but I think we’re in better shape than last year"

Bagnaia was asked if he’s faster than last year, and he replied: “I 🅠don’🍸t know. I feel strong, stronger than last year. 

“Faster? ꦕIt’s important but I think we’re in better sh🎀ape than last year. 

“It’s a different situation because last year I was trying to gain poin﷽ts ever🌠y time. 

“Last year here, we recovere♑d 16 points to Fabio. This year, we’re stronger. 

“In the last races,🐷 we regained feeling and every time we were so fast and competitive.”

Bagnaia insists he has battled through a series o🐽f disadvantageous circuits and is now prꦜeparing to race in locations which suits him.

“I’m happy to be here,” he said in Buriram. 

“It’s on💃e of the tracks where I’m always competitive. 

“From Japan, Mandalika, Au🍸stralia I suffer performance on a single lap. 

“We move onto tracks that I really like. It’s good for me💫, but also for other Ducati riders. Jorge and Bez were good here, last year.

“We may have an advantage in terms of feeling.”

Pramac rider Marti🤡n remains Bagnaia’s good friend and their on-track rivalry has not yet caught fire off-track.

“It’s always important to separate the relationsh💝ip outside and inside of𒆙 the track,” the champion said. 

“Everything has to be respected. If I need 𝄹to overta🅘ke,  I will overtake.”