Pecco Bagnaia faces his third World Championship season in 2015. The Italian talent, who recently joined the MAHINDRA MAPFRE Aspar Moto3 team, is receiving all sorts of technical attention and support to make his adaptation to his new team and new MAHINDRA bike as fast as possible. The Italian has repaid this effort with his dedication on track. He obtained very positive results in his first test and has immediately struck up a good relationship with his teammates and crew, laying the groundwork for what may be a great season.

What led to you signing for the MAHINDRA MAPFRE Aspar Team?

The MAHINDRA MAPFRE Aspar Team are a big team who have won a lot of titles in the recent past. They are one of the references in the World Championship. I was presented with an excellent opportunity and I didn’t let it pass me by.

How are you adapting to your new crew?

I love my new crew. Maurizio Soli (crew chief) and Roberto Dalla Nora (data analyst) are two very experienced people who have welcomed me with open arms. Paolo Mancin and Gian Carlo Domenechini, my mechanics, are very professional and natural. They make me feel at home and I enjoy myself with them. There has been a lot of chemistry between us from the get-go and this is very important.

Is the MAHINDRA MAPFRE Aspar Team as you had expected?

Honestly, yes. As I said, besides being a very professional team it is also very family based. When we met and talked, we soon saw that we were on the same wavelength. We all have a passion for our work and it shows, and certainly helps unite us. Technically, the work that goes on inside the garage is just as I imagined.

It seems as if there is a good relationship between Juanfran, Jorge and yourself, right from the start.

Yes, of course. They are two excellent teammates. Jorge at first was a little shy, never spoke and we had to help him to come out of his shell; now he doesn’t shut up for a minute –he’s worse than Juanfran (laughs). We gel magnificently, so everything is easier. They are very fast, and in testing at Jerez we matched our times. Juanfran has gained a lot of experience and could be useful to have as a teammate. Jorge may need our help a little because he is a rookie, but in any case I think that after five or six races he will be very competitive.

What has been your first impression onboard the MAHINDRA?

I felt comfortable from the start. This bike corners more quickly than last year’s machine. You can brake very hard and it is easy to ride; it suits my riding style.

Is the factory support noticeable?

Yes, of course. This is something very important that we have seen from the beginning. We are the first to receive parts from MAHINDRA, the factory is always attentive to our requests, we were the first to test the new engine… Being a factory team rider is key to improving quickly.

How much potential do you think the MAHINDRA has?

In the first test we already saw that it is very competitive. A bike shows its potential when it allows you to get good times with relative ease. I also feel very comfortable onboard the MAHINDRA, the engine is very strong and the chassis is one of the best I’ve had. I am convinced that we will do great things with it.

What do you consider to be its strengths?

In particular the chassis. With it you have a higher margin of error with respect to any other bike. You can maybe not follow the perfect line on a corner, but the chassis helps you negotiate the turn.

The MAHINDRA chassis looks promising.

Yes, it gives us a lot of confidence.

The engine is performing better with every test.

At Jerez and Valencia we tried the old engine and we liked it a lot. In Cartagena we put the new one in and found it very fast and reliable.

You have a new bike, new teammates and new challenges for 2015…

In 2015 we aim to be among the frontrunners regularly, which we just missed out on last season. The team and the bike have great potential, which I hope to live up to. We will have to continue doing a great job during the winter tests, to be strong for the first race of the year. In my opinion it is very important to start strong for further development during the season. The team have backed me from the start, and this allowed us to find a good base. Getting the foundation right from the start is essential when evolving.

What are your plans for the winter break?

Train, above all. I will spend some time relaxing with other riders from the VR46 Academy, but the goal is to train as much as possible during this break, to be very fit for spring testing.