Since his first Grand Prix in Qatar in 2014, Bastianini has always been at the forefront in the Moto3 category, approaching the ultimate goal without achieving it. Third in the Championship in 2015 then second in 2016, he fell last year to sixth position, despite a Honda from the official Estrella Galicia team.
At Gresini in 2015 and 2016, Enea thought he would reach recognition in 2017 at Emilio Alzamora, but no victory was achieved (unlike in previous years). He finished second in the United Kingdom, third in Aragon and Malaysia. However, he is still young at 20 years old, and benefits from solid experience of 70 Grands Prix, with 2 victories and 18 podiums. Bastianini is playing for Leopard Racing this year, which has proven very good for drivers like Danny Kent and Joan mir.
Mico Melloni from Motosprint (Corriere dello sport Group) spoke to Enea during the Valencia tests. Here are some excerpts from his very long and very interesting interview.
"In fact it's a 'now or never' situation. Enea admitted. Leopard and Honda won everything. The winter is going well, unlike a year ago, when I was forced to deal with the rehabilitation of my right wrist. And then, despite a difficult year, the good end of the season helped my morale. However, we weren't competitive enough to win. »
Was Mir really one step ahead of everyone?
“Yes, thanks to his talent, but also to his motorcycle. You could get a good idea of the margin he had over the others by seeing how calmly he handled the finale of most races. »
When Romano Fenati received the Golden Helmet, the Roman defined certain Moto3 battles as the “Bronx Grand Prix”.
“Some drivers switch off their brains and sometimes the races look like carnage, and everyone is pushed off their line. »
Can changing teams for the second consecutive winter (first from Gresini to Alzamora, now from Alzamora to Leopard) complicate things?
" I do not believe. In fact, I have already been faced with a change of team and therefore I know what to expect, and how to go about getting in phase with new people. Last year I couldn't express myself right away and at first I felt uncomfortable. Then there was a period when the trust between the team and me was at its lowest. »
What was the lowest point?
“Without a doubt Mugello. I was 17th in qualifying and 11th in the race, but above all I experienced the weekend of the Italian GP, always full of expectations, pressure and stress, in tension with the team and above all without knowing with what goal I had to run. In fact, maybe in this GP I didn't race for a goal, and that's the worst thing for a driver. There I pronounced the fatal “Worse than that can’t happen…”. Fortunately I was right, it was the most difficult moment. People responded and the team also realized that I probably needed to be treated differently. »
Given your character, have you been assailed by doubts?
“It's inevitable, I'm surrounded by people who push me, their strength is my strength: I think of family and friends, who can say the right word at the right time. Carlo Pernat became my manager and gave me good advice, he knows how to resolve certain situations.”
Since you made your World Championship debut at the age of 16, have you changed as a person or as a driver over these four seasons?
“The evolution has been mostly on a personal level, but inevitably we grow a lot. The driver, basically, is always the same. Andrea Dovizioso offered confirmation: he created a perfect method and environment in his booth. »
Do you also study Dovizioso because you identify with him a little?
“I study Dovizioso and Valentino Rossi because they are my favorite when it comes to riding. But in Dovi's case, there is also this other aspect. I'm a little more instinctive and less rational than Andrea, but like him I don't like going into a team without knowing what's going to happen. »
“But I also want to learn from Franco Morbidelli: his serenity in the most complicated moments should be taken as an example, and last year he didn't need to think about the bike, everything came naturally, which is the dream of every pilot. »
Who will be the rivals in the race for the 2018 title?
“Jorge Martin finished well last year and he is in a great team, Gresini. He was also the only one faster than me during the Valencia tests. Then, I see my last teammate, Aron Canet, especially if he finds the right consistency.”
Photos © Leopard Racing
Source: Moto sprint (Conti Editore Srl)
