The post-Malaysian GP press conference brought together Andrea Dovizioso, Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo.
As usual, we therefore offer you a complete “raw” translation of the words of Valentino Rossi, without any journalistic formatting or distortion.
A very good race and you secured the title of vice-champion…
“Yes, I think it was a good race, especially at the beginning because, personally, I felt good from the first lap. Before the start I was worried because there was too much water, but as soon as that stopped the conditions returned to normal for rain. I felt good, I tried to stay in the lead, but then came the very, very difficult fight with Iannone, and it was very difficult because he was always overtaking me (laughs). Anyway, he was fast and drove well. I wanted to try to be in the lead, especially also because my gloves were completely soaked behind, I couldn't keep the accelerator (open) but Iannone came back and overtook me. But in the end, it was a good fight. When I was able to overtake I felt good and opened up a small gap, and at that moment I was optimistic for victory, but with less water I started to suffer a lot with the tires , especially with the front. I made a small mistake, but more specifically I no longer had the pace like Andrea. He was faster, and it was impossible. I had two heats on the right and I didn't want to fall and waste 20 points again. It's a shame because I wanted to try to win, but it's a good second place. »
And you are vice-world champion…
“Yes, yes, ultimately it’s a good result. I'm pretty satisfied. You know, when you have the opportunity to wrap things up, because if I had made a mistake today, Jorge would be second, he would have recovered 20 points and we would have arrived in Valencia only 4 points ahead. And Jorge is still very fast in Valencia. So it's good like that. »
Even if Valencia remains, can you take stock of this season?
“We have another race which is very important, because Valencia is always special for me because I think it is the track where I suffered the most during my whole career. So I want to try to be competitive there, strong, and try to fight. And then we can take stock. For the moment, I'm quite satisfied because... a lot of podiums, I would have liked to win a little more but that's how it is, and my speed was also good, I was quite competitive. But I'm not completely satisfied because in the end, unfortunately, I was never in the race for the championship because I made too many mistakes. I lost a lot of points in Mugello, but to be completely happy I want to try to fight for the championship, and this year Marquez always had too big a points advantage. »
What is your secret weapon to also be competitive in the wet?
“Yeah, I think we're solid on completely dry and completely wet. During this weekend, me, but also Jorge, we were always on top and with good speed. So we were able to try. We suffer a little more in mixed conditions, we are working on it and trying to improve, but our bike is quite good in the wet. »
You had a good qualifying yesterday but a not so good warm up. What were your thoughts before the race?
“This morning the warm up wasn't so bad until the last three laps because I had a problem with the clutch and had to stop. There was not enough time to change bikes as there were two minutes left. All the other guys improved a lot because the track was getting better. But the feeling wasn't so bad, even in the dry.
So I was waiting to know the conditions. I knew we could also be strong in the dry because I wasn't bad on Saturday morning. In the dry, the race is always different and very demanding for the tires and also for the bike and the rider. In the wet, it's heavier on the mind, but it's easier on the body. What we didn't want was mixed conditions. But we must also try to improve from this point of view. »
Can you explain to us when you overtook three drivers in a corner?
“(Laughs). The start wasn't bad but Jorge overtook me at the first corner, then Marquez and Dovi arrived. I felt good at this braking. I had a good feeling there, just like during practice and in the reconnaissance lap. So I braked hard. At first you think "maybe I'm braking too hard, and maybe now I won't stop", but then it was OK. I think this round was good to see. »
What do you think about the disappearance of intermediate tires next year?
“We found that the range of use of intermediates is really very narrow. And also, from my point of view, Michelin tires are less dangerous than Bridgestone tires compared to Bridgestone tires, because they are a little safer. So I think we can also do without intermediaries. But whatever it is, it's not a big difference. »
Do you agree that you are old enough to go shopping?
“(Laughs!) I think I was already old enough to race 7 or 8 years ago, when I was Dovi's age (laughs). but whatever happens, I'm not giving up, I'll continue (laughs). »
Will you continue after your next contract?
“I don’t know, it’s too far.” " At this moment, Andrea Dovizioso intervenes to declare: “Of course, of course, I think we will stop before him (laughs). »
Will you try the 2017 bike in Valencia?
" Yes. As always, the Tuesday after Valencia the new season begins, and it will be very interesting because we will also see for example Lorenzo with the Ducati, Iannone with the Suzuki, and some changes. For us it is very important because we hope that we will be able to see the new bike for next year. It will be an important test for us and we will test again in Sepang because we need to understand if we are in the right direction to improve. So I think it will be very interesting. »
