The MotoGP riders who reached the podium, Andrea Iannone, Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo, were invited to this post-race press conference of the 2016 Austrian Grand Prix.
In order to avoid any abusive journalistic interpretation, we offer here a “raw” translation of all of the winner's words, Andrea Dovizioso, visibly disappointed to have had to let slip this first Ducati victory since that of Casey Stoner in 2010 at Phillip Island.
Dovi, you are disappointed…
“In the end, I'm disappointed because the feeling with the bike was special. Everything was really good. I was better than Iannone in braking and so that was important; the key to the end of the race.
I think we both used a good strategy. We didn't want to take any risks regarding fuel consumption and tire degradation, so we didn't attack at the start. We used a different map. We didn't use the maximum speed we have, but we waited, just for safety reasons, because you never know in a race. But the (capital) point was the risk that Iannone took on the grid, and he was right. I think we only attacked 100% in the last six laps. I didn't have the same grip on the right side and I struggled because I couldn't stay close enough to him to try to overtake him.
I am very disappointed, but disappointed in myself because the decision was ours. It's true that no one except him made this decision, and so it was really a big risk. But that’s racing, that’s motorcycles…
On the last lap I couldn't get close enough to him, but we also have to think about positive things because we were first and second.
I have been with Ducati for four years and I have struggled a lot for at least three years. Now we really come back stronger doing first and second, with the speed. I am very proud to be part of this project with Ducati. I really thank all the engineers and people who worked hard during these four years. I know how much they work from home, how much they work at home. We're not perfect yet in fighting every race, but we're close and I think we can be closer than in the past. »
Which tracks are still favorable to Ducati?
“I think we improved the bike in the last few races. It's difficult to know before the race because the Michelins are completely different compared to the past. But overall, I think we will be very close on each circuit. Each circuit will show if we have a chance of fighting for victory or the podium. »
Can you explain how your bike has improved since the first race of the season?
“There hasn't been a big change, just little things everywhere. I think every driver is still working to understand the tires. It's not particularly easy because the tires change every race. Sometimes you have a good feeling, sometimes you don't. It is not easy. We improved this. The feeling has improved a little. We improved the electronics a little bit, the bike settings, nothing really big. »
What is the influence of the fins in these improvements?
“I think they are very important for us in acceleration. Some people, some pilots or some factories didn't believe much in them, or didn't want to spend money on them, but the reality is that they have a great effect. Ducati started working earlier than everyone and maybe we have an advantage because we changed wing after wing to improve. We are able to change the fins depending on the track. They are very good at accelerating, but only for that. For sure, this is a positive element. »
