De Diana Tamantini / Corsedimoto.com
Celestino Vietti achieved his first success in the Moto3 World Championship. The screams in the headset, the compliments from Valentino, the work on himself… Here is the interview.
The Red Bull Ring was the scene of the first world triumph of Celestine Vietti. A hard-fought and desired victory, the result of many sacrifices, as well as a demonstration of determination and continued progress. The Sky VR46 pilot is now the best Italian in the world championship standings, 4th, 40 points behind the leader, just ahead of his rival during last Sunday's race. This is his second full season in the Moto3 World Championship and he is certainly thinking a little bigger, but without undue pressure.
Finally the first success at the World Championship…
“An incredible emotion, a lifelong dream come true! I was really happy. It was a good, closely fought race, with a final clash with Tony. Being able to get it right at the end was fantastic. »
“It was very hard. Tony was very fast and maintained a good pace throughout the race. Fortunately, I managed to accumulate those extra tenths at the end, which allowed me to win. With a small gap that allowed me to reach the finish line safely, even if I didn't know it at the time..."
Did you expect a duo final for victory?
“In a way, it was a surprise. However, I knew I could stay in the leading group, because we had worked well during practice to have a good pace. Arriving, however, just me and him, with a small margin over the others... No, I didn't expect that. But I'm very happy, and now we have to try to do it again. »
How do you feel once you cross the finish line as the winner?
“I screamed a lot, only cries of liberation and tears. Finally, after so much sacrifice, this victory came, and I really let it out. »
How was the celebration on the podium? Considering the previous one (hand stitches when exploding the bottle)…
“I preferred not to do anything stupid, it was better to go home with my hands whole!” I had thought about something special, but then I thought about it and went for something "classic", so I was sure I could get back to the box without going to the medical center. »
What is the value of this first victory?
“We can certainly define it as a gift after so many years of sacrifice, both from my parents and from me. A result that paid off for all the efforts we made. Both for me and for my family, it was a beautiful moment, we had dreamed of it for a long time: it was moving. »
Was there a message of compliments that touched you a little more?
“The most special is always Valentino’s. Every time he compliments me, it's an emotion, it's Valentino Rossi so in short, it means you were pretty good. His are certainly the ones that touch me the most. »
How have you progressed? What do you need to work on more?
“I definitely have to continue to work on my head, especially to better manage the fight. Little by little, however, I am getting there, and in some cases I can even gain a little more respect. Let's say it works both ways: I have to keep working on it, but I've also improved a lot. »
Did you manage to celebrate the victory at home or did you postpone the party?
“When I got home, there were friends and family waiting for me. We celebrated a little on Sunday evening, because we were all still caught up in emotion. Now we are focused again. »
What are the expectations for Misano? You run home, just after this success...
“We certainly want to continue to fight with the leaders. We hope that the air at home will give us a boost.
If there are no problems, with a small audience in the stands...
“It will be very nice, it will be a pleasure, after all these races without an audience. There will be few of them but I hope they will be good, so they give us energy! »
How do you experience the paddock with the new rules?
“Generally speaking, it’s pretty much normal. Of course, you still have to use the mask, but in the end the pilot's life remains the usual routine, and has not changed. However, you have to be a little more careful, but there are all the security measures and it's still a good experience. The biggest difference remains the absence of the public in the stands and in the paddock, that's obvious. »
Before Misano, there is a small break. Do you also give yourself a “vacation”?
“Now I am back in Turin, temporarily leaving Tavullia and the Academy. However, I continue to train constantly, without stopping. On Monday and Tuesday, however, I rested a little and then started again as before. »
You are now the best Italian in the world rankings. What do you expect from the rest of the season?
“I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself. I just aim to give it my all every time, scoring as many points as possible. Of course, I'm in my second year and maybe we need to try to think a little bigger. I will give everything, but I don't want it to be an obsession, whether out of superstition or to avoid doing less well. »
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