The post-qualifying conference for this Malaysian Grand Prix brought together Andrea Dovizioso, Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Johann Zarco and Brad Binder.
As usual, we therefore offer you a full “raw” translation of the words of Valentino Rossi, without any journalistic formatting or distortion.
Front row, you are much happier than in Australia….
“Yes, but the race is tomorrow (smile). Today is not very important. But starting from the front row always brings a good feeling, and this is particularly important for the race. Today was a good day, I was able to ride well, I feel good on the bike whatever the conditions, even this morning. I've been good from the start and I think everyone is hoping for a dry race because we can see a good fight. Because this morning we were already fast, and the first four were within a tenth, and the pace was similar, so that's good.
But anything can happen, because unfortunately… well, the asphalt is very good, it has good grip and less bumps, but something bad happened because it needs a lot of time to dry. So these are not normal conditions because you can attack, but you still have to stay focused on the (moisture) patches.
I wasn't too bad in the wet as well, so we can be pretty strong if it's completely wet or completely dry. »
A different qualification strategy…
“Yes, it's a very different approach, because usually you give 100% in a 15-minute qualifying, you put on a new tire, then another new tire, and you try to give 110%. We talked a lot about how to do it, but in 15 minutes it's usually difficult to get to the limit with the wet tires. We also discovered this in FP4. So we decided not to stop and in the end I was able to improve a bit on the last lap, up to second place, and in the end it was the right strategy for us. »
How do you see the end of the Moto2 championship in relation to Johann Zarco?
" Yes. He has a good advantage, because it is a good gap with two races to go. But... heh heh, it's not over, so he needs to stay focused. During the season, he fought more with Rins, so it was assumed that he would be fighting with him until the end, but ultimately made some mistakes, probably because of his shoulder, and lost some points. In the last two races, Lüthi came back very quickly and took two consecutive victories; he therefore arrives fresh for the challenge. But at the same time, I think it was a good season and Johann more or less stayed in the lead all season, and his advantage is very good. »
You have some good stats here. Starting P2, do you think you can win the race?
“So yes, Sepang is a track that I really like and where I have won a good number of races in the past, and I was always strong there. But the last one was in 2010 I think, it was a great victory but it's been a long time. In recent years, Lorenzo and also Marquez and other drivers have always been strong on this circuit. The racing here is also always very difficult, very demanding in every way. So it will be hard.
But starting from second position is positive, I think I can fight, and we just have to wait for the conditions. »
What do you think of turn #15 and what approach will you use there if you are fighting for victory there?
“During those days they told me that they changed turn 15 to get to the first corner slower, and so it was for safety reasons, so I agree. Because if there wasn't a safety reason, why should you change the turn? You would just have to redo the asphalt, and stop. But like that, I agree, because in reality, you get to braking #1 very quickly, and the clearance is not huge. And it works, because we arrive a little slower. So it's good.
In the dry it's not a big difference, it's very similar to before.
In the wet it's a bit more difficult, especially when accelerating because you still have a lot of slip, so you have to take a slightly different line. As Dovi said, for the last fight, for the last braking, for me it's a little more difficult to overtake compared to before. But ultimately, the difference is not that big. »
What do you think of Morbidelli's progress and is he an option for your Moto2 team?
“We are very proud of Franco, very happy, because we have been trying to help him for a long time and he has taken a huge step this year. For sure, in Moto2, the team is very important and we are very happy that he is racing for Marc VDS which is a Top team. But you know, he's still there during the second half of the season. Unfortunately, he just needs to win one race but he came very close at Phillip Island. But the important thing is that he is solid, that he is always there, that he is always on the podium, that he also improves a lot during the tests. Franco has had a difficult history, he also broke his leg last year in training, he suffered a lot and he is still not at 100% now, but I think he can be a good opponent to try to win the championship next year. But he has a contract with Marc VDS, so for our team, no. Unfortunately (laughs). »
Before, it was said that the rider accounted for 80% and the bike 20%. Is this always the case with new technologies?
" No. This has changed in recent years. The bike is very important, the team is very important, and if you look at MotoGP now, I think now it's 50/50. For sure, if you have a factory motorcycle with the manufacturer behind it helping you improve the bike and tailoring the bike to your style, that's very important. We've also seen a lot of wins this year from non-factory drivers, like Cal who won two, but I think it's half and half. »
The wheelie you did at the Simoncelli corner, did you plan it or was it improvised?
“No, no, no, it was just to say Ciao, yes, just for that. »
Do you know that Marc did the same thing after you?
“Honestly, I do a wheelie at the end of a session there, and once there was also Marquez, yes. I saw it, yes. It's OK, it was beautiful. »
