The press conference which marked the start of this Malaysian Grand Prix brought together Marc Márquez, Andrea Dovizioso, Maverick Vinales, Valentino Rossi, Johann Zarco and Franco Morbidelli.
Besides the congratulations regarding the Australian Grand Prix and the usual declarations of good intentions regarding the next weekend, mixed with questions about the weather, the main interest of this conference focused on the subject of racing contacts and , for once, on the questions asked on social networks.
So let's start with this last part.
Franco Morbidelli, you are always calm, but which race tested your nerves this year, and how did you overcome that?
“I think Misano was the most difficult. I felt good and I wanted to get a good result there. But when I woke up in the morning it was raining and I was like “whoa, let’s hope it’s OK”. So I took the scooter and went to the circuit with the scooter because I was also trying to get the feeling with the scooter and do a good time with it (laughs). But during the race I was definitely nervous and didn't know where I was. I took three seconds in three laps then I crashed. »
Johann Zarco, who is the most difficult driver to overtake: Valentino Rossi or Marc Márquez?
“I would like to say Rossi, because he brakes really late. But also, he can see you or smell you, and sometimes I wonder if he doesn't have eyes behind the helmet (laughs), because during the race, he understands everything, from the start to the end, he knows where people are. Yes, it's the most complicated. When I'm with Marc, if you try to overtake him, he won't push it because he knows he can beat you up again later. Maybe he has more room to be faster and is more confident, so he lets you pass, thinking he'll pass you again later. Rossi fights and says “no, no!” » (Laughs). »
Valentino Rossi, how many times do you receive phone calls from your parents during a weekend?
“During a weekend, I always talk with my father and mother, but usually it's while writing. But after the race, yes, I get a call from Stefania and a call from Graziano, yes. And I have more advice from my mother! (Laughs). We talk about settings, front suspension, tire choice… (laughs). With my father, less so. »
Maverick Vinales, do you sleep well the night before the race?
" Normally yes. At home, I hardly sleep, but during a race weekend, I sleep a lot. Normally, I'm very relaxed during the weekend, I feel good and I sleep quite a lot. »
Andrea Dovizioso, what do you do after a bad day?
" It's difficult. Normally motorbikes but I like to do all sports and have dinners with friends. It helps me a lot, especially at home during the weekend after the race, you can talk about important things and less important things, and it helps me recover or be ready for the next round. »
Marc Márquez, during the race, do you look at your opponents' signs?
" Of course ! (Laughs). I mostly look at other people's panels. Mine, I only watch it during the last laps. I'm still trying to understand what they say to the other drivers. For Valentino, there's always BRK, and I always wonder what that means (laughs) but it's always there and maybe it's something special (laughs). Same with Maverick, but now they have changed because they are starting to have the messages on the dashboard, so it is more difficult. And speaking of giant screens, you also watch them a lot. For example, at Phillip Island, I was looking at the giant screens to find out where Dovizioso was, because I didn't know and I had turned around several times. Sometimes it gives you another piece of information. »
Who is harder to overtake? @marcmarquez93 or @ValeYellow46? 🤔
We asked @JohannZarco1 in the #MotoGPFanQ... pic.twitter.com/gsAfdD2xn3
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) October 26, 2017
Photo credit : MotoGP.com
