The press conference held at the end of the MotoGP Dutch Grand Prix in Assen brought together Maverick Vinales, Mark Máask et Fabio Quartararo.
As usual, we report here the raw words of Maverick Vinales, without the slightest journalistic interpretation.
Maverick, congratulations! Your first victory in 2019! You made a good start and this must be one of the best races of your career…
Maverick Vinales : “yes, honestly, before it was a difficult period because Montmeló was a race where I really thought I could fight for victory. Throughout the weekend we had worked the same way as here, so I felt the bike was ready to attack and fight for the top positions. But anyway, since Friday I have felt extremely good on the bike on this track. I worked really hard for the last few laps, for the last 7 or 8 laps where I thought it would be the key to the race. I tried my best from the first lap but I made a lot of mistakes during the race because I lost several seconds from the lead. I then tried to get back up as quickly as I could but from the start it was difficult because I couldn't overtake as the Honda was so strong. But eventually, somehow, I found my rhythm and understood my strengths very well and tried to take full advantage of them. The team worked well, it's not just the driver, the whole team must work very well. We want to enjoy this moment but we know that it is fleeting and that we must continue to work with the same mentality as when we came here after Montmeló. I have to congratulate the team because they did a great job and we will try to be as strong at the Sachsenring.”
Despite his position in the championship, Marc put pressure on you almost until the end...
“I knew that if I was 33, medium or big, it would be difficult to let go, but I was ready for anything. Throughout the weekend, I worked very well throughout the weekend on the last sector to be strong and try to be able to fight under braking in the last corner. Finally, I had my opportunity after turn 12, where I felt very strong. Then I attacked, I attacked as best I could. I am very happy because the team is working in the right direction and we will try to continue this momentum because I feel at a good level riding the bike, like in my head.”
When you were behind Marc you looked like you were going to overtake at turns 12 and 13, which is a bit of a strange place. Was it just to prepare something?
“I didn't think I would pass there but turn 12, of the whole circuit, was my best turn all weekend. I was pretty strong in the 4th sector. But Marc was very good until turn 15, so it was very difficult for me to overtake him. It took me a lot of laps because I had shown my cards where I could overtake during the first few laps, so after that it was very difficult to overtake. Once I overtook I tried to attack, but I made a big mistake in the first corner and went off the track. I then wondered where I could overtake again. I tried again at turn 12, but in a different way, on the inside. It was good. I'm happy that we worked in the right direction this weekend but I saw our strengths and weaknesses, and we will work very hard for the Sachsenring.
We saw that you were very emotional after the race…
“I felt that, finally, the job had been done, from Friday to Sunday, which is the most important thing. Most Fridays and Saturdays we did a good job and put together a good race, but sometimes we found ourselves behind at the start. I had a lot of problems and I couldn't drive to my best potential, nor in the best way, but regardless, it was a good qualifying this weekend and so I knew that if I was in first line, I would have the opportunity to win the race. I was expecting a little more that it would be in a group but in the end there were 3 of us for the race. So I played my cards in the best way possible, and I knew that since I had a hard tire at the rear, I would have potential in the last 10 laps and I attacked at the right time.”
Can you tell us about the particularities of Assen: the circuit, the atmosphere…
“The atmosphere is that of “the cathedral”, one of the oldest circuits. I really like winning because it's one of the circuits on the calendar where I can be the best. It has always gone well for me here, in 125, in Moto2: All categories were good for me at Assen. It's something incredible. The fans are very close, you can feel the emotion. Yes, it’s a very nice circuit to win.”
You say that during the last two races, you were very comfortable with your bike. What is this change?
“At Assen and Mugello, with Jerez, I think that's where we had the biggest potential, because the tests were very good. We thought maybe the settings weren't right, especially for racing, so somehow we tried to get more traction, which is what our motorcycle always needs. And we found that in Montmeló and here. These are two tracks where the grip is very good. We don't know what will happen when the grip is low but we remain quite calm. We worked in a good way, especially on Friday and in FP4, so we will continue that. I am happy. Ultimately, what happened in the warm up was the same in the race, so I can drive the same way, and that's the most important thing.”
Fabio says he has access to your data. Do you use other people's data?
“Yes, I said it a long time ago: If I could use the data of the 24 pilots, I would! You know, I try to learn from every driver. Any one of them can be better than you in a corner, so if I had the opportunity to learn and improve, I will. Of course, to ride a Yamaha in a good way. If I can learn, I will. On ! ".
Standings for the MotoGP Dutch Grand Prix in Assen:
Photo credit and ranking: MotoGP.com