Enea Bastianini was born on December 30, 1997 in Rimini, a few kilometers from Tavullia.
However, his path never really crossed that of Valentino Rossi which, however, shelters under its wings of the VR46 Riders Academy most of the young Italian talents.
The person concerned gives his own explanation in GPone...
Enea Bastianini : “I arrived in the world championship without being part of the Academy, and therefore, I didn't really feel the need to enter. In fact, it was never offered to me, although that's not the problem. My attitude as a driver, however, has always been to grow on my own, and once I got to the world championship, I tried to follow that path. I don't deny though that Vale's help would be useful to me, because we're still talking about a nine-time world champion who can give advice. » An unheard call?
However, from 2014, Valentino Rossi could not hide the fact that he considered him the future of Italian pilots: « it's the nice surprise of this year and the revelation among the Italian drivers. He has always been fast and last year he made the Rookies Cup but, honestly, no one expected him to be at such a competitive level in his first season. He will be one of the future strong men because he is still very young. »
But despite very promising results (9th in 2014 for his first year, 3rd in 2015, 2nd in 2016), the young transalpine undoubtedly had a serious flaw in the eyes of the Doctor: he had been discovered by, and was under contract with, Fausto Gresini.
As a result, despite her undeniable talent, Enea Bastianini had to pursue her own path which this year goes through the Estrella Galicia 0,0 team. And the alchemy is difficult: ninth in the championship with only 59 points when Joan Mir has 165 of them.
Enea Bastianini : « The beginning was not easy, since I found myself inside a new system in which I am slowly inserting myself. Adapting to the latter hasn't helped me achieve the results I hoped for, but I'm learning from the team, just as they are gradually getting to know my character. Above all, I had to get to know the character of my team, because it is the most Spanish and the most different of the teams I have raced in. Subsequently, I began to assimilate their method, which is more technical and professional compared to the average; they work a lot and getting into the rhythm has not been easy. There were ups and downs, and there was always something missing to really be ahead. The results cannot be positive, even if we are aware that we are not far from the lead. »
Will Enea Bastianini be ready to bounce back in the second half of the season?
“I think so, but until we get the results, it's hard to say for sure. This year it was also difficult to tune the bike, because from the outside the 2017 version is similar to the 2016, but in reality it is completely different. This year we mainly have to focus on the rear, whereas until last year the focus was particularly on the front. I hope to be further forward (during the second half of the season), even if it's not easy at all. If I can manage to get on the podium more than once, I will be happy. »
At present, the future of the man nicknamed “Bestia” is not yet assured, even if he should spend another year in Moto3. At VR46?
