At the Austrian Grand Prix pre-event press conference which also included Marc Márquez, Maverick Vinales, Dani Pedrosa, Cal Crutchlow and Pol Espargaro, Valentino Rossi spoke to journalists.
As usual, we report his remarks here, in full and without any journalistic distortion.
Valentino Rossi : “When you drive on this track, it's a little different compared to the others. It's very, very fast, the average is incredible and there aren't many turns, so you have to be focused every meter to try and do the best you can. Braking is also very important. But regardless, it's a fun track. It looks like the weather won't be great this weekend, especially tomorrow. You will therefore have to try to be ready for all conditions.
We arrive from Brno which was a good weekend for me in terms of speed. I had a good feeling with the bike and so that’s important. (We will have to) try to be strong in the wet and in the dry, try to be ready on Sunday, and we will see. »
You conducted the test on Monday...
“Yes, Monday’s test was good. We tried things, some pretty good, some similar. Yes, in the end I finished with more or less the same time as I did on Saturday, but with a good feeling. »
Maverick said he wasn't going to use the new fairing here. What about you?
“We think this may not be the perfect track for this sort of fairing. But we will take stock over the weekend on how to use it on Sunday. »
It's easy to say afterwards, but the flag to flag race was difficult for you in Brno...
“Yes, it’s always very difficult for everyone a flag to flag race. You need to understand the right time to return. Each time the situation is different. For example on Sunday, compared to last year, the track dried very quickly. So we were supposed to stop after a few laps, but everyone stopped very quickly and the track was ready for slicks. So one lap also made the difference. I think we have to progress and try to do better. In these conditions, you never have the perfect solution with a motorcycle. And maybe flag to flag is the least bad. »
Marc made a great comeback in the championship. What is his strong point?
“He is fast in all conditions, wet or dry, but especially this year he has been able to be fast on all circuits. Me, I'm competitive sometimes but I struggle a lot in other places, and I've been way off the mark. I think that's the reason. »
You are the most experienced pilot. Do you think Ducati is the favorite on this track?
“It's very difficult to say because it changes a lot on each track this year. But I consider that the Ducatis, the riders and the bikes, are the ones to beat, like last year. I hope to be closer but Dovi is still very strong, he was very fast during the race in Brno, and Lorenzo of course knows that he has a good chance to try to win and will give his all, because he was very strong in race pace in Monday's test. Petrucci is also fast this year. He can definitely fight for the podium. »
Last year there were discussions because the barriers were close to the track. Did you talk about it and were there any changes?
“I think that on a track where the average and maximum speed are like that, very high but also high throughout the lap, unfortunately the runoff zones are never big enough. Because it is very difficult. I think there are a couple of places that are a little dangerous, but I honestly don't remember if they've changed anything since last year. Anyway, we're hitting the track tomorrow and we'll speak to the Safety Commission tomorrow afternoon. »
Do you think starting with slicks could have been an option in Brno?
" Yes. Thinking about it after the race, for sure, if you started on slicks, you won. Yes. Of course, it was risky because it started raining again on the grid. There was sun but also rain. You can't change the tires on the grid, but you had to take the second bike, because otherwise with the tires it wasn't a good option. So you had to decide before arriving on the grid. And maybe it wasn't dry enough yet and I also think there were a lot of people who were afraid that it would start raining again or that it would dry out. »
Do you have an idea to improve pit-plane safety?
“I think one way is to go slower, but then it's difficult because of the temperature of the tyres, especially when you go from wet tires to slicks. Maybe we need to have clearer rules about who comes first. I didn't see the incident between Espargaro and Iannone very well, and perhaps it should be stated more clearly that the pilot driver who arrives behind (has priority). There, Espargaro had to wait for the other driver to pass. But I didn't really see what they did and I'm sure we'll talk about it tomorrow. »
Question from social media: was your pass on Jorge Lorenzo at Barcelona the best of your career?
“Yes, I think it's maybe the best because it was special since it was in the last corner. I don't remember any other overtaking in the last corner in MotoGP. Maybe 125cc or 250cc. I also think that the fight with Stoner at Laguna Seca was on the same level, but Jorge's overtaking was more exciting because... (at this moment, Valentino Rossi is cut off by Marc Márquez who shows him Sete Gibernau in the room which reminds in smiling a famous overtaking…) Ah! Sete! At the last turn! (Laughs) Yes, but afterwards, we had some problems (laughs). So yes, also with Sete. You know, the fights in the last corner are always the best, and the one with Jorge was great, yes. »
Photo credit : MotoGP.com
