First of the “non-Hondas” after this first day in Aragon, Valentino Rossi held a private press conference in his hospitality.
As usual in Europe, we were there, and we therefore offer you a full “raw” translation of his words, without any formatting or journalistic distortion.
Valentino Rossi: “The main objective is to work to improve because the Hondas are very strong in race pace. Not for a fast lap, but after a few laps they are able to maintain the pace, and it seems like they are tiring their tires a little less. So if we want to try to fight with them, we have to improve this point. For the rest, and for a first day, it was OK. »
What will you try to improve tomorrow?
“You know, I'm pretty good in all sectors, I'm always in Top 3 or Top 4, so we don't have a specific weak point. We're pretty much everywhere. But like I said, after a few laps the Hondas, especially the factory ones but also Crutchlow, have a fast pace and it looks like they can stay strong. We must therefore improve this. »
Yesterday, Lorenzo confirmed his opinion on your overtaking at Misano…
“(laughs) In my opinion, if we have to talk about this excess more than two weeks later, we are wasting our time. It's like a joke. For me it's very important (to know) where the other bike is when you're overtaking and it's very important to know where you're overtaking taking into consideration the turn. The later you overtake, the more aggressive it is, and if you make contact with the other, it is even more aggressive.
But I overtook Lorenzo with the whole bike, at least 20 meters before the turn, and if you look at the images, it is very clear that he saw me, but he wanted to try to cross my trajectory. So he saw me, but he expected me to widen and he wanted to cross my path. So for that reason, he was ready, but he had seen me 20 meters before, so if we have to discuss this overtaking, then we must never overtake each other again (laughs). It's my point of view.
Anyway, this is his opinion and I tried to explain my point of view at the press conference. »
Are the tires deteriorating?
“the Tendre is not so bad but I think it will be difficult for him to do the whole race. After 3 or 4 laps, the tires start to spin a lot. We have a lot of slippage on this track, as well as a lot of skidding. It's fun to ride, when you follow another rider you also see the smoke coming from their rear tire. But other than for the show, you lose a lot of time and you start to be slower, and it's harder to accelerate.
I think the tire can hold up the whole race, but it's a performance issue, a timing issue, when you cross the line, and it will be crucial to try to lose as little as possible during the 23 laps, and in especially from 7 or 8 turns. »
Signs of discontent, like you showed towards Aleix, will henceforth be prohibited...
“I think Espargaro made a big mistake at Misano because he stayed on the line, and when I was angry with him he said 'fuck you' to me. My mistake was to do like that (middle finger), but other than that, I was 100% in the right. When I did like that (middle finger), it's true that you can't do that (middle finger), but on the other hand, when a driver is on the track, he has to be careful to other pilots. Otherwise, it's not okay and much worse than doing that (middle finger). »
It seems that the tension between the drivers is greater in recent years than before. Can you compare it with the one that reigned in the Yamaha box in 2010, when you decided to leave?
“For me the situation changed after the last three races of last year. It's something that has never been resolved, and that's how it is. But it's better than in 2009 and 2010, because we are older, we are more mature, we are professional pilots and we do the same thing and we want to continue doing these things, and we know that we have to work together and stay together. For me, the important thing is that your relationship or what you think stays off the track, outside the box, and you have to try to do your best to always be very professional.
Afterwards, you know, it's impossible to love each other (laughs); it's like that. »
