The MotoGP front row, Valentino Rossi, Maverick Vinales and Andrea Iannone, as well as the Moto2 and Moto3 polemen, Sam Lowes and Romano Fenati, were invited to this post-qualifying press conference for the 2016 Italian Grand Prix.
In order to avoid any abusive journalistic interpretation, we offer you here a “raw” translation of the entirety of Valentino Rossi’s remarks.
Valentino, what a qualification!
“Yes, it's something fantastic, something special, a wonderful day, because I arrived here with a good feeling and good sensations, but it was already hard since yesterday. I wasn't that bad, but I was just in the six or seven because the Top 10 is very fast and very close.
But today, this morning, we took a good step forward and I felt better, but I was still in the eight, so nothing had changed. But during the afternoon, we took another step forward, and from free practice #4, it was good; I looked good and felt good on the bike.
So we started qualifying optimistically, but you never know. I tried to use the right strategy during this qualifying, being in the right place at the right time, and not like at Le Mans where I made a few mistakes. And in the end, I was lucky because I benefited from Maverick's slipstream, which helped me get pole position. It's great, it's fantastic at Mugello, because there are already a lot of people, a lot of crowds and a great atmosphere, and also there is this weather.
It is also very important for the race, because during the past years, I always struggled a lot during qualifying I always had to start from the second or third row, so starting on pole is very important because it is difficult to overtake on this track. »
The temperatures changed between this morning and this afternoon, and it will undoubtedly be the same tomorrow...
" Yes. I feel good on the bike, but we need to improve small details. Regarding the tires, I tried the Dur this afternoon; the feeling is not that bad but the pace is not fast enough. So I think I'll use the Tendre more, although it starts to move after a few rounds. SO…
Either way, it will be difficult. The race here at Mugello is always very demanding, physically and mentally, but starting from pole position is important. »
This year, everyone who started from pole won; what do you think and what do you expect?
“Yes, I hope it continues (laughs). But in my opinion, this was already the case last year; those on pole often won races. Generally, in MotoGP, when you work well in practice and you are able to have a good pace, that is also very positive for pole position. But I do not know. In my opinion, that's just the case and I don't know why.
(For the race), it's always very difficult to understand because between Saturday and Sunday, there is always something that changes. In recent races, race grip has always been a little more difficult, as have track conditions compared to qualifying. Maybe because the Moto2s come before us, and we arrive in the race with different track conditions. At the moment it is clear that Vinales looked the best today, he was a little faster. I'm not that bad and so is Iannone, like me. But we have to remember that Marquez and Lorenzo are fourth and fifth, and they will obviously go fast tomorrow. So the Top 5 can win tomorrow. »
The most famous word from last year, "biscotto", reappeared in Marquez's mouth and then Jorge declared that it was a strategy between you and Maverick, and that it was like copying 'school. You were helped by Maverick…
“Am I copying from him, or is he copying from me? (smiles) »
Both…
" No. The big difference is that last year it happened in the race. This year, it's just in qualifying. To put it bluntly, when you're on the track you always try to keep up with the other riders, especially the new ones coming into MotoGP. When I tried to follow Vinales to understand the way he drives, he is not a driver who cuts the throttle, he always continues to attack for at least one lap. This also happened many times with Andrea Iannone, so when you are in front you have to do the same thing, right? There was nothing planned before, but it was just the opportunity, because we usually wait until late so as not to have traffic. Anyway, I think today that Maverick must not be very happy that I was behind, because if I hadn't done that lap he would have gotten pole position. In the end, it’s true that he helped me. I copied! (laughs) »
3 VR46 riders on the front row in Moto3, Lorenzo Baldassarri qualified on the front row in Moto2 and the professor on pole; how proud are you of this group qualification?
“Yes, the exact word is that we are very proud. Honestly, I didn't expect to enjoy it so much, to be a fan of our drivers. During the last days, sharing time with the guys, you feel the pressure of the Italian Grand Prix, because Mugello is Mugello! For all Italian drivers!
We are very proud and very happy with this result, because the pressure is sometimes difficult to deal with, and in many cases it is worse rather than beneficial. Today is only Saturday, but Romano did a superb job in qualifying and also took Migno to a historic front row (laughs). “Balda” is also on the front row but my brother is also very impressive because he is 0.3 or 0.4 from Sam's pole position. We are really happy and we will try to continue like this. »
