Jorge Lorenzo, on the eve of celebrating his 30th birthday, went to visit the Seat factory in in Martorell where he was given the keys to his 300 hp Leon Cupra.
He took the opportunity to give an interview to the site Trademarks, in which, once again, he depicts his current situation with frankness and perspective.
Excerpts…
Is this the start to the season you expected with Ducati?
“I think the expectations that existed were perhaps too high, due to the fact that last year we won two races, one in Austria and the other in the wet. They expected a rider like me, who is used to winning titles, to be fast with the bike. »
You get to know the Desmosedici
“I think it requires a long and important process, because you have to know that this bike is completely different. It is totally opposite to the one I used for nine years and I am a rider who takes steps to know all the limits of the Ducati. When I understand these limits, I leave it there. »
Are you optimistic?
“There is always a slow evolution, but it is better. We are taking small steps forward. In Austin I was already the first Ducati in testing, and in one race I fought with Dovizioso, who has been riding this bike for five years. »
Since 2008, this is the second time that you have not been on the podium in the first three races. It's difficult ?
“We already knew this was a very difficult challenge. If I had wanted to be comfortable, I would have stayed with Yamaha. It was a bike that allowed me, at the very least, to fight for or obtain World Championships. When you're about to turn 30, you feel like you need a really special and difficult challenge. »
History shows that it is complex to do so…
“It must be remembered that only Casey Stoner managed to win the World Cup with the Ducati. And, what's more, this year he had some advantages that haven't existed for a long time, like the Bridgestone tires which were different from what the other competitors had, the 20 or 30 more horses... These are advantages which 'exist no longer, and because of this it is much more complicated to successfully fight against the Japanese giants. »
Should the factory favor other aspects, besides the engine?
“I'm a pilot and I'm busy getting the most out of what I have. Obviously I talk a lot to Gigi Dall'Igna and the rest of the engineers and I propose my ideas, what I think we could do... but I'm not an engineer. I don't know where they need to think more, but it is true that you always have to be very attentive to how other factories work to learn from them while maintaining our strong point, which is the engine. »
- Beastly…
“We have great power and great top speed. That said, we must continue to learn from everyone to try to get the best out of everyone. »
