With a superb track record that includes eight drivers' world titles and numerous other manufacturers' titles, Sandi is a legend of the paddock, an icon of mechanics. Currently Technical Director of the Italtrans team, Giovanni can be proud of the World Championships won by Tetsuya Harada (Yamaha 250 in 1993), Max Biaggi (Aprilia 250 in 1994, 1995 and 1996, then Aprilia SBK in 2010 and 2012), as well as Jorge Lorenzo (Aprilia 250 in 2006 and 2007). Three great drivers, renowned for their character as well as their brilliant champions.
He tells us about each of them, starting with Jorge Lorenzo :
“I didn't expect it to be this hard for him with the Honda. He also fought with the Ducati, making the difference when he felt comfortable, after work considered perhaps useless: riders at this level also need psychology, support outside of technique » explained Sandi in an interview with PaddockTV broadcast on YouTube (see below).
“With Honda he immediately had problems, he was not put in a position to get the best out of it both psychologically and technically. Maybe he couldn't beat Márquez in the championship, but he was able to beat Marc on some occasions. And when you give your teammate a few hits, it can change everything. »
“I was convinced that he would adapt: with the Aprilia 250, he was good, he changed his style depending on the circumstances. But on the Honda, I saw it badly, a bike too low for him, he couldn't even bend over..."
Max Biaggi:
“He threw a lot of criticism at me, but he was always a great gentleman to me, even financially. He was a very determined driver, who grew a lot over the years. Unlike Harada, he did not have technical and adjustment knowledge: he built this knowledge with his stubbornness on the track. »
“Why didn’t he win the 500 World Championship? Because I wasn't at his side... He and I made the Aprilia SBK evolve in an incredible way: in two years, we won the World Championship. He knew what he wanted, how to make the bike move forward. At the time, he and Rossi were not on equal footing: Valentino arrived in the 500 with an excellent bike and a great team. »
Tetsuya Harada:
“I met him in Japan, when I was at Yamaha with Pierfrancesco Chili, who moved from Aprilia to Yamaha. As soon as I saw him, I realized that he drove superbly. He was super strong. »
“During the first test at Jerez, a circuit that was completely unknown to him, on his 26th lap, he set the track record! As a rider and as a technician he was one of the strongest in the 250, all he lacked was the determination of a European rider. »
This season in Moto2, Giovanni Sandi is working with Enea Bastianini, who finished third in Qatar:
“From the first time he rode a Moto2 bike, I knew he had as much talent as anyone: he was fast from day one, immediately faster than his teammate who had been riding that bike for many years. There's a gap that we're trying to fill, but he's someone who can do very, very well. »
“He can also succeed in MotoGP thanks to his talent: now he trains better, that was his limit, but he can do anything. I thought from the beginning: let's hope it doesn't go to waste. »
The other driver of the Italtrans Racing Team, Lorenzo Dalla Porta, reigning Moto3 World Champion, finished 24th at Losail:
“He’s another strong driver. You don't become a champion by chance. He has physical limitations for Moto2: we have not yet found a way to put him well on the bike, to exploit his qualities. »
“Lorenzo has a little shorter arms and legs and that created some difficulties for us. He has difficulty putting pressure on the footrests, he is not yet 100% centered. But I'm sure the pilot is good. »
Another recent interview with Giovanni:
