By Diana Tamantini / Corsedimoto.com
The sporting director of Sky Racing Team VR46, Pablo Nieto, talks to us about his working method and is already thinking about the objectives for 2019.
2018 was the year of consecration, not only for Francesco Bagnaia, but also for his team. The Sky Racing Team VR46, officially born in September 2013, made its debut in the Moto3 World Championship the following year before also joining the Moto2 category in 2017. The team then found “Pecco” a winner but also surrounded him with a human approach. Pablo Nieto, the son of the legend on two wheels, Ángel, has had the sporting direction of the project in his hands since 2015 but considers himself more as “the coach of the team. » He returned to his foundations.
“I like to be very professional and I expect the same from others. We have to have everything under control, but having fun. » It is with his words, spoken during an interview given to TuttoSport, that Nieto wishes to explain his method. “My job is also to keep everyone focused and united, being behind them while allowing freedom and responsibility. » To put it another way, it focuses on the human factor: “In a sport that continues to be increasingly linked to business, we have implemented another approach. We work well and make a difference with people. »
This working method seems to work since Pablo Nieto won the Moto3 title in 2013 with Maverick Vinales, before arriving in Sky Racing Team VR46 and celebrating Bagnaia's coronation this year. Nieto also has a lot of admiration for the Italian champion: “He has incredible talent. Just look at the facts: he is the only one to have won with the Mahindra, twice. » However, 2019 will be a slightly more difficult year: “Now we have to think about confirming. What is very nice, however, is talking with people from the paddock and feeling the desire that many drivers have to come to us. »
Nieto does not hide the hope of a new title with Luca Marini: “He listens, he works, he is an example of application and dedication. He had shoulder surgery earlier this week to resolve a problem that has hampered him this season. But we make no comparison with Pecco. » Despite this, the comparison with his brother, a certain Valentino Rossi, is on everyone's mind... « Je le comprends, car j’ai toujours été “le fils d’Ángel Nieto.” Pour moi c’est un honneur, et c’est également le cas pour Luca. Peut-être que cette situation lui ouvre plus de portes, mais c’est à lui de tirer parti des opportunités qu’il a. »
At his side, there is no doubt about the second Moto2 rider, Nicolò Bulega: “It will give a boost to his career. He hasn't driven for two months because of the accident he had before the Japanese Grand Prix, and he's already been going fast in testing. » Pablo Nieto is also confident about the Moto3 team which continues with Dennis Foggia and welcomes Celestino Vietti Ramus, who has already shone in the last four races of the season where he replaced Bulega: “Dennis understood the difference between the CEV and the World Cup. I really like Celestino, I call him “why” because he is curious, he asks “why” all the time and is very eager to learn. » What about a team in MotoGP? The answer is clear: “As long as Rossi is riding, it won't make sense. We'll see then. »
Read the original article on Corsedimoto.com
Auteur: Diana Tamantini
