The MotoGP riders who reached the podium, Jorge Lorenzo, Marc Marquez and Andrea Iannone, were invited to this post-race press conference of the 2016 Italian Grand Prix.
In order to avoid any abusive journalistic interpretation, we offer here a “raw” translation of the entirety of Andrea Iannone's remarks.
On one side happy and on the other very disappointed…
“Yes, I'm very happy because it's very important for us, especially at this race, to get a podium. It's still a good performance, but I'm very disappointed about my start because it was very bad. After the first lap I was 12th and it was very difficult to close the gap with Dovi and Dani. And also with Marc. But after three or four laps I increased my pace, and I'm very happy about that because I showed a very consistent and fast pace throughout the race. During the last lap, I achieved my best time in 46.6 and it is very important for us and for the future. It is certain that today we had a very good opportunity to fight for victory and that is very important for me. I wanted it and, for sure, we will try in the next races to come.”
Did you have a clutch problem when leaving?
“This year my starts are generally very bad. I don't have a very good feeling with the clutch. We are trying to fix this problem and change the clutch settings, and my team is working on it a lot. Ducati is also trying to improve the situation but it is still difficult for me. But this weekend I was a little stronger because I did some starting tests and they were very good. But hey… unfortunately, not during the race.
But what is very important is that we are strong, I drive as much as possible during the race, without (?), and that is very important for me and for the future.”
Did you see the fight between Marc and Jorge, and is this podium special for you?
“I think I had a very good pace today to fight with Marc and Jorge. So why not? I could win today, that's for sure. During the race, I was very fast, so…
Afterwards in the event of a fight, I don't know, but, without a doubt, I had the same speed as Jorge and Marc.
The podium is certainly very important for us because, after the last race, it was important to finish this weekend with a good result. It's very important for everyone, for me, for Ducati, because it's in Italy. I want to continue the season this way, because I have a very good relationship with the team. So, happy.
No, I didn't see the fight because I was behind (laughs). ”
You did your best lap at the end of the race; Was it because the bike was better or because there was Pedrosa behind you?
"No. The feeling of the bike has improved with the worn rear tire. Throughout the weekend I was very satisfied with this because already yesterday in FP4 I had a very good feeling with the worn tires, especially at the rear, because the bike was slipping a little more in first gear. part of the corner, and it's better for me because I force less, the bike turns a little better and the time improves.
Unfortunately for me, my departure today was a very big problem and I was very disappointed because we had a very good opportunity this weekend. But ok, we will definitely try in the next race.”
You were once again the fastest on the straight with 355 km/h. Do you feel the difference with last year's 345?
“It's easy to explain the difference, but for sure today it would have been better to win the race rather than have the best speed (laughs). It’s a good result for Ducati, for the engine, it’s normal.”
Does setting your best time on the last lap mean Ducati has solved all its problems with the rear tire?
“As I said, we had a consistent pace all weekend with a worn rear tire. The Michelins are very consistent on my bike, and that is very important. During certain races, such as Le Mans, we had small problems with the front because the feeling was strange. On this track it was pretty good; the front and rear were very good and I think Michelin always improves the tires step by step. It’s good for everyone.”
