Ai Ogura’s fifth-place finish at the Thai Grand Prix came with little joy. The Trackhouse Aprilia rider delivered a brutally honest critique of his own performance, admitting that mistakes in the early laps prevented him from achieving a stronger result.
"I was surprised how poor I was in the first part of the race. I am not happy," Ogura said after crossing the line. The 25-year-old highlighted his frustration over failing to execute his race plan. His usual late-race speed, typically a strength, was wasted due to initial struggles and tactical errors.
Starting from eighth on the grid, Ogura was immediately boxed in and dropped to 11th place. This early setback forced him into recovery mode rather than attacking, a significant disadvantage on the tight Buriram circuit. It was not until Lap 16 of 26 that Ogura began a late charge, moving through the field with impressive pace. While this surge showed his skill, it only underscored the ground lost in the opening laps, making the fifth-place finish bittersweet.
Source: Motorsport.com
Ogura identified his cornering approach in congested early laps as a key flaw. He struggled to find rhythm and make decisive moves, creating bottlenecks that limited his performance. "When the bike was okay to push, maybe I didn't. And when the bike was quite limited, that was when I pushed," he admitted, reflecting on the challenge of managing the Aprilia machine effectively.
Despite finishing fifth, Ogura found little satisfaction. The result mirrored his standout debut at last year’s Thai GP, yet the feelings were completely different. "The position is the same, but the feeling is completely different. Zero happiness," he stated firmly.
This season, with all four Aprilia riders across the factory and Trackhouse teams working closely, Ogura has stronger support. This collective strength may help him convert potential into consistent high-level performances, turning frustration at Buriram into lessons for future success.
