After leading the German Grand Prix to finally finish in second position, it was Jonas Folger who was too calm to have really realized who spoke at the post-race press conference which also brought together Marc Márquez (see here) and Dani Pedrosa (to come).
As usual, in order to avoid any “sensationalist” journalistic interpretation, we offer you a “raw” translation of all of Marc Marquez's remarks, without any formatting.
What a day for you! You came close to victory...
“Yes, for me it was the first time I had this kind of position. After the first corner Petrucci hit me pretty hard. I almost lost control of my motorcycle. I was lucky to stay on the bike and kept pushing. I knew from the Warm up that I had a very good pace. I was following Marc and Dani, and I saw that I was very strong in the third sector. So I passed Dani and Marc there, and when I led the race, I couldn't believe it (laughs). On the Sachsenring! But in the end, I let Marc pass because he has the most experience, and I tried to stay behind him. Honestly, I learned a lot of things behind him, I tried to save tires, I tried different lines, different styles, and yes, in the end, I was almost sure that I could stay behind him until at the end and I was more than certain that I was going to attack him in the last lap. Unfortunately, with only four laps remaining, I made a big mistake because Marc was braking really hard to improve the times because the tires were deteriorating due to the heat. I made the same mistake, I really went wide, I lost more than a second, then I tried to get back on Marc, almost falling two or three times. So I said OK, I tried everything I could, I'll stay in second place and let him win. Anyway, it was a great experience, I really enjoyed riding with Marc and Dani, and we learned a lot. »
Could you hear the crowd?
“I could feel it. Not hearing it, but feeling it (laughs). »
Did you know that you are the first German driver on a premier class podium at the Sachsenring since 1957? 60 years !
“It’s incredible, yes! It's an honor for me to have been able to achieve this result. It's been a long time since a German driver performed really well. I have a mission, that of being the best German in MotoGP. »
Your leather is marked on the left elbow. What happened ?
“I already explained that at turn #2 Petrucci tried to overtake me. I assume it's him because that's what I was told. He tried to pass me and he hit me. I don't know if it was him or his tire but I was lucky because I almost lost the handlebars, so it was a scary moment but nothing happened. »
When you were leading the race, did you have time to think that it was at home and in front of your fans?
" Yes. It was a strange feeling. I expected Marc to pass me at every turn. But after a few laps, I understood that my pace was not that bad (laughs) and that we were capable of leading. However, I didn't want to lead the whole race (laughs) so I made a mistake and let him go, then tried to save the tires behind him. »
During many sessions you used the hard rear tire. Do you think that if you had been tough in the race, you could have been closer during the last two laps and even attacked him?
“Hmmm…I’m not sure.” I felt better with the medium. Normally we are always a bit softer than the Honda riders, so I think it was the best choice because it was really good for me to have the grip I need during the first half of the race , to understand what I need to do. And I think if we had tried with the hard option, maybe it would have been a bit risky not to immediately have the handling from the start of the race. So we decided to go with the medium. Anyway, if I hadn't made that mistake and then tried to get back to Marc, we could have saved more tires. Like I say, in MotoGP you make a mistake and you lose. »
You were the fastest this morning in the Warm up. But did you think a second place in the race would be possible? And at the start of the season, your goal was the top 10. What about now?
“No, you know, people were telling me to look for a podium today, but I wasn't sure. I didn't expect anything. I was just trying to do my best. Yes, it was like in Barcelona, I was the fastest in the Warm up, and that gave me a lot of confidence because I overtook a lot of riders during the Warm up and made good times. For me it is very important to have confidence and to know that we have the speed. We had good position on the starting grid, and every time we get that, we do a great job. So I think that’s how it should be done. »
You are the second Tech3 driver to reach the podium. Do you think the official Yamaha riders should have your chassis back?
“(Laughs) Well, I’m not sure. I haven't tried the new bike. I'm happy on my bike, the one I currently have. I know they tried different chassis. I don't know exactly what they tried. But it seems they are going backwards, like 2016. But I'm not sure, they have problems but if they have a good weekend, they win! It seems to be different at every track this year. It's crazy ! Each time, there are different people in mind. You expect this driver to be in front, and suddenly it's another driver. This year is really very strange. »
We know this guy (Hervé Poncharal) doesn't drink. But are you going to celebrate?
“With Hervé? Yes, we'll have a Limoncello after the press conference (laughs). »
German Grand Prix results:
1. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 40m 59.525s
2. Jonas Folger GER Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)* 41m 2.835s
3. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 41m 11.071s
4. Maverick Vinales ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 41m 13.778s
5. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 41m 14.505s
6. Alvaro Bautista ESP Pull&Bear Aspar Team (Desmosedici GP16) 41m 16.059s
7. Aleix Espargaro ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 41m 19.261s
8. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 41m 19.713s
9. Johann Zarco FRA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)* 41m 20.663s
10. Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 41m 23.735s
11. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 41m 25.184s
12. Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP17) 41m 31.065s
13. Pol Espargaro ESP Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 41m 31.704s
14. Bradley Smith GBR Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 41m 35.978s
15. Jack Miller AUS Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 41m 37.296s
16. Mika Kallio FIN Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 41m 37.377s
17. Karel Abraham CZE Pull&Bear Aspar Team (Desmosedici GP15) 41m 38.848s
18. Tito Rabat ESP Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 41m 40.715s
19. Loris Baz FRA Reale Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP15) 41m 59.375s
20. Scott Redding GBR Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP16) 42m 1.189s
21. Alex Rins ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)* 42m 1.220s
Provisional ranking of the World Championship:
1 Marc MARQUEZ-Honda 129 points
2 Maverick VIÑALES-Yamaha 124
3 Andrea DOVIZIOSO-Ducati 123
4 Valentino ROSSI-Yamaha 119
5 Dani PEDROSA-Honda 103
6 Johann ZARCO-Yamaha 84
7 Jonas FOLGER-Yamaha 71
8 Danilo PETRUCCI-Ducati 66
9 Jorge LORENZO-Ducati 65
10 Cal CRUTCHLOW-Honda 64
11 Alvaro BAUTISTA-Ducati 44
12 Jack MILLER-Honda 41
13 Scott REDDING-Ducati 33
14 Aleix ESPARGARO-Aprilia 32
15 Loris BAZ-Ducati 31
16 Andrea IANNONE 28
17 Tito RABAT 23
18 Hector BARBERA 21
19 Karel ABRAHAM 20
20 Pol ESPARGARO 14
21 Bradley SMITH 8
22 Alex RINS 7
23 Michele PIRRO 7
24 Sam LOWES 2
25 Sylvain GUINTOLI 1
Photo credit: MotoGP.com
