At the end of a breathtaking Australian Grand Prix that he finished in second position, Valentino Rossi was invited to the press conference also bringing together Marc Márquez and Maverick Vinales.
Obviously very happy, the Italian champion happily took part in the question-and-answer game with the journalists.
As usual, we report here a translation of his words, in full and without any journalistic distortion.
We loved your comment when you said you must be stupider than everyone else…
Valentino Rossi : “Yes, you know, that’s how it is. Particularly in recent times, the level of aggression and contact during the race has increased a lot, especially when young riders come from Moto2. Zarco is very, very aggressive. Well, you know, you either get angry, but it doesn't change anything either way. That's the game: if you want to play, that's how it is. It's a little more dangerous, but that's how it is. If you don't want it, you have to stay home.
I had a lot of fun. It was a great, great race. At the beginning, I was with Miller, with Espargaro, so I had a good rhythm. And then I had to fight, especially with Zarco, and then Iannone arrived. I think these are the two worst drivers to fight with. I also remember a tough fight with Iannone in 2015 and he beat me in the last lap, so I tried as hard as I could, just like with Zarco. Also with Márquez, so it was a great race. I loved.
I'm really happy because I was competitive. We worked well. Like everyone, I was lucky because we had good conditions, so you got to see, for sure, the best race of the season. So I think all the people who got up at seven in Europe are happy.
I made the right choice for the tires.
And it was like that. You know, I think in the end I had the potential to stay with Márquez until the end, because I was fast. I think at one point I was in the perfect position, but Iannone came along. It was like madness and Márquez escaped. But I think that victory would have been difficult anyway. But I'm extremely happy, it's important for me because I'm coming back from a difficult period after fracturing my leg. And it’s also important for Yamaha and for our entire team”
How is it possible to do such a race, after the start of the weekend you had?
“Honestly, after testing here, it’s still hard to know. But I wasn't that bad, especially on Friday. I mean I already had a pretty good pace under normal conditions. We also figured out how to progress from yesterday because I was too close to the limit. This morning we had the bike ready, but it was wet so we didn't try it. But we decided to use it because I was pretty sure what I needed. It was a good change, and also a good choice. So I feel comfortable with the bike. »
How do you see the fight for the title. Is it already over for Dovizioso?
“You know, today it’s like 25-0. So this is a big problem for Dovi because now the gap is very big and there are only two races left. »
Today, in the leading group, the gap between the oldest and the youngest was 17 years. Does this make you feel old?
“I think it’s my fault (laughs). Unfortunately, without me, the difference would be much smaller (laughs). No, I'm happy to stay here and still be able to fight in a race like this. »
After a race like that, how do you feel about staying five more years with Michelin tires?
“I feel good with the Michelins, I like working with the guys. They have the longest experience, before Bridgestone. They are different tires compared to Bridgestone. They have some better points and some weaker points, but they are always very open to try to fix the problems, so I'm happy. »
The race was slower than last year. Was it to preserve the tires?
“I think for sure when you have a group like this, it's more difficult for the entire duration of the race. Yes. But I don't know my total time compared to last year. You know, it's a question of balance. My best time is not the same as last year, but in the end I suffered more than last year. So this means that you always have to manage a little to try not to lose too much during the last rounds. »
You mentioned the level of aggression which was increasing. Do you think there should be a limit?
“Yes, yes, I agree with Marc! » (Marc Marquez: “For me, of course there has to be a limit but I think today it was normal. I mean it was aggressive, there was some contact, but in the end it's the race. And if we lower the limit, it becomes like F1. Ultimately, this is why MotoGP is progressing. »).
Do you think it is useful for Yamaha to have a third (factory) bike with Zarco on it to develop the bike?
“I don't know if it would be a good idea for Zarco to have our motorcycle (laughs). But yes, yes, it can (be interesting for Yamaha). But I don’t know if it would be a good idea for Zarco to have our motorcycle (laughs)”
Márquez has had contact with you. How did it go ?
“I saw a tire when I had no space. But honestly, I didn't know who it was. I was very intrigued (laughs). Is it Márquez, Iannone or Zarco? It was very difficult to know. I heard the tire on my shoulder and I just widened and lost time. »
Photo credit : MotoGP.com
