This pre-Czech Republic Grand Prix press conference brought together Marc Marquez, Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Hector Barbera, Eugene Laverty and Cal Crutchlow. You can find some our summary here.
As usual, in order to avoid any abusive journalistic interpretation, we offer you a “raw” translation of the entirety of the words of Valentino Rossi.
A great race last year, but a demanding circuit…
“I think this circuit is one of the most difficult for me during the season. At the beginning, in 2010, unfortunately I wasn't here because of my injuries at Mugello, and I had a lot of difficulties during the two years with Ducati; I was very slow. So the feeling about this track wasn't great. It's gotten better year after year, but I think it's one of the longest, fastest and most difficult of the season. Last year it was a great victory and it was fantastic, but it was in the rain, because in the dry I wasn't so bad but Marquez and Lorenzo were a little faster than me. So we have to try to keep improving, try to understand the little secrets and little tricks of the track, and try to be strong in all conditions. »
You prefer to ride in the dry but you were good here in the rain. A difficult choice…
“Yes, you know, in recent years, I have always been quite strong in the rain, but personally, and like, I believe, the majority of pilots, I prefer the dry because you know more what can happen, and it's also more fun to ride in the dry. So we try to stay focused, as it worked well in the last two races, and arrive ready for Sunday, and I think we can fight for the podium. »
You tried a new chassis in Brno and you were happy with it. Are you going to use it here?
" Yes. Monday's test in Brno was very positive for me, I felt good on the bike and had a pretty good pace and I was having fun too. We have a few new things, different swingarms, and different chassis. In Brno I had a good feeling but we have to confirm tomorrow and we will use it tomorrow, and I will try to understand during testing if the reality is also better here at Silverstone. »
Concerning the championship, is the situation similar to when you made up a lot of points on Hayden?
“The situation was similar in 2006 when I was a big delay behind Nicky because I was unlucky and had some problems with the tires, and I think I broke an engine at Laguna Seca… But whatever Anyway, I think I had less of a disadvantage than I do now, because I was maybe 40 or something...
But you know, every season is different, and getting this number of points back from Marquez is very difficult. I just have to concentrate on myself, on the work during the weekend, on the bike, on the team, and try to do the maximum, try to have good races, try to score a lot of points, to arrive on the podium, try to be as strong as in the first part of the season, but bring more points with fewer mistakes, try to understand the right choices, and then we will see at the end. But we can enjoy anyway, we have seven races and what I prefer is to fight, for the podium, for the victory, and we will see for the championship. »
You said that you are now paying back for the great efforts you made last year…
“Last year was a very demanding season, especially the second part, but actually the whole season from the start, but we fought for every point. You have to give your best every time you take to the track, without making the slightest mistake, because we know it was very close until the end. Last year, finishing like that, losing like that, was difficult, especially this winter, and in preparation for this championship. This year I also made some mistakes, too many mistakes during the races. That's also why, because you try to run with more open mind and sometimes it's easier, and you win, but other times you can make more mistakes. But for sure, a season like last year, where you ultimately lose after those efforts, in that sense, it's not fantastic for the next one. »
What do you mean by having an open mind? Take more risks, not think about the championship?
“First of all, I think it's easier to make mistakes this year with these new tires for everyone. Last year the Bridgestones had a few other problems, on some circuits they were worse than the Michelins, but in particular the front tire was safer. This year, it's more difficult for everyone. But when I got to Austin, it had already been 25 races where I hadn't made a single mistake, and so when you get to 20, 21, 22, you start to feel the pressure and think it's maybe the time it will happen (smile). So it's very difficult for everyone to go through the whole season without making the slightest mistake.
Regarding whether or not to think about the championship, it depends a lot on the points. Last year I was always at the front and fighting point by point, so the approach was different. This year, when you are behind, you also have to take a little more risk, especially after the engine failure at Mugello, so you can make mistakes more easily. »
