Moto3 Rookie of the Year, Celestino Vietti had a solid season which added to the few races he had already competed in last year to replace the injured Nicolò Bulega. The young Sky Racing Team VR46 driver immediately impressed with his speed, and to date has four podiums, one pole position and only five races outside the points. A track record which already says a lot for a beginner, and which allowed him to finish his first full season in sixth place in the Championship. We met him during the Valencia Grand Prix to take stock of this first year.
What was your biggest apprehension before arriving in Moto3?
“Being a little less experienced than the others, especially at the end of the race where I had to improve. I was often strong and lost places in the last laps. But we had to build our character a little and ride more. »
Conversely, what are you most looking forward to in the category?
“To make a podium and fight against the best for the front places. That was what I thought about the most. Luckily, the first podium of the season arrived in Jerez, so quite early. It was a great emotion because we managed to reach our goal after only a few races but nevertheless we had to work hard from there to get to the level we are today. »
Did you feel more pressure than last year, when you arrived as a replacement driver?
“I think I was a little more stressed this year, it was my first real season and my first real start. Last year I arrived from the CEV, after a difficult year and I had no pressure. I didn't have any this year either but I still had to try to do something good. A little more this year, then, but not a lot either. »
What goals did you set for yourself at the start of the season?
“The main objective was to become Rookie of the year and above all to progress and arrive at the end of the season being a fairly complete driver and much stronger than at the start of the year. With work we have achieved this, we are more regular and we are achieving our objectives little by little. The only thing missing is the Rookie title but we hope to have a good race here [Vietti won this title after the Valencia Grand Prix, editor's note]. »
How would you summarize your season?
“For me it was a season of progression. We left with a good basis from the tests, where we had worked very well and made the right choices. Above all, it was a season where we were very united with my team. We overcame difficult times by always working with a good method and trying to resolve problems calmly. »
What was your best moment?
“This last part of the season, especially the “triple” (Japan, Australia, Malaysia), we have been competitive on almost all occasions and in almost all conditions, wet, dry and we are improving, it is therefore for me the part where we were the strongest. »
And conversely, what was your worst moment?
“There was a phase, in the middle of the season (Brno, Aragon, Misano, Silverstone) where we struggled a little. We did well but there were problems and in the end we made good progress until the end of the Championship. We managed to overcome these difficulties and become competitive again. »
What did your team teach you?
“Thanks to the team I have become much more consistent than I was at the start of the year. Now we are fast from the start because at the start of the year we were always far behind in testing. Lately we have made progress and we are much further ahead. We are trying to stay in the top 10 and we have achieved that in the last few races. For me, consistency and immediate speed are the most important things. »
What did you learn from the category?
“It's a category in which you always have to be 100% because at least 10 drivers can win in each race, we are very close, the gaps are small. You have to be aggressive throughout the race and try to stay in front because the slightest mistake costs you five places and that's probably where I learned the most. »
What would you say to Celestino at the start of the season?
“Probably to stay a little calmer, especially in the difficulty, and in the moments when I had a little more difficulty. At the start of the year I was a little worried about always being behind in testing but then in the race it was fine, so I was a little more relaxed and serene in difficult moments. »
How do you see next year? What goals are you aiming for?
“Next year we must try to bring together everything we learned this year and above all try to achieve a little more when we are strong. Very often we were competitive but we didn't bring back a result that really showed it, so it will be important to carry out good tests, in order to have a good base for the first race and to start strong. Then manage the Championship, but we'll see. »
