10th in FP1 and FP2, Valentino Rossi started his Australian weekend mixed, just like he did last year, which did not prevent him from finally getting on the 2nd step of the podium.
Except that last year, the Doctor qualified 7th, 8 tenths behind the same Márquez–Vinales–Zarco-Ianonne quartet, while he was still 7th but a second away during this 2018 edition of the Australian Grand Prix.
The reason lies in a qualification where, by the Yamaha rider's own admission, “you needed big balls! ".
Explanations from the person concerned who, like Johann Zarco, talks at length about frightening conditions but nevertheless maintains confidence for the race...
Valentino Rossi : “a podium would be a good goal. Overall it was a good day for me, because we improved the feeling with the bike since Friday, and I was more competitive. I was also pretty good in FP3 and FP4, and that's a good sign for my race pace. Unfortunately, the conditions during qualifying were very difficult. It rained a little, but you could never tell how much it would fall and how wet it would be. You had to drive with drops and always attack 100%. It was not easy. These are not normally my favorite circumstances. You had to take a lot of risks. You must have been very, very brave. Because you were passing very quickly many times, but you never knew how much rain you were going to encounter around the next corner. You had no idea if the asphalt is dry or wet. This required great bravery. Yes, you needed big balls here (laughs).
I think that with a normal qualification, with good weather, I could have done better. On the other hand, the seventh place in the third row is nothing special but you can't call it a disaster. All the drivers in front of me are fast and strong. It now depends on the work we can do until warm up, as well as the weather and the choice of tires. It's always open between the hard and the soft.
We also hope for a sunny race and a good day. With the sun we can usually have a very good run here. We may see an exciting race like last year. But it depends on the start, the first turns and the first laps. It looks like Iannone and Márquez have more speed than the others. But Maverick is fast too, Zarco, Dovizioso, Rins, me and all the others... We'll see.
A podium is a good goal. I'll try. During the warm up, we will try another configuration, then we will have to choose the ideal tire. On this track, we are a little more competitive with the Yamaha. Although Zarco is also fast, it must be said that Maverick is in good form here. He likes this layout. We hope to get the Yamaha onto the podium and finish in front. This is a track where the bike and the riding styles take on their full meaning. But I followed Iannone here once, and he's faster than me, without a doubt. He drives with a better feeling, he is strong here. Márquez runs on worn tires all the time, but I know he will be fighting at the front tomorrow. Last year we saw the best race of the season here, as the front group was strong. From beginning to end. I hope to find refuge in this group.”
Massimo Meregalli : “It's a shame that the rain got worse towards the end of the second run, just as Valentino was about to start his second outing, because his pace in the FP4 session shows that he could also have been a contender for the first line. But the main thing for tomorrow is that both riders are satisfied with their bikes. All that remains is to make the right decision for the tires in the race, and we will see what the weather has in store for us. I really hope it doesn’t influence the outcome of the race.”
Qualifying classification 2 Australian MotoGP Grand Prix at Phillip Island:
Credit ranking: MotoGP.com
