A discreet and reserved guy, Niccolò Antonelli is a rider whose name counts in the Moto3 category. Author of a brilliant 2015 season during which he won his first two Moto3 victories and piled up two other podiums, we also remember the panache with which he snatched the first victory of the 2016 season from Brad Binder in Qatar. Arriving in 2017 in the Red Bull KTM Ajo team, reigning world champion, last season promised to be under the best auspices for the Italian rider. Unfortunately the magic did not work.
After a complicated 2017 season, Antonelli decided to return to his roots by joining an Italian family team running on Honda: SIC 58 Squadra Corse, Paolo Simoncelli's team. With them, Niccolò hopes to return to the forefront in order to once again reach the heights he experienced recently.
His past season, the results of the tests, his objectives for 2018… The Italian driver spoke in an exclusive interview to Matteo Bellan for the site TuttoMotoriWeb.
Niccolo Antonelli is, without a doubt, one of the most interesting talents in the Moto3 World Championship. The twenty-one-year-old rider from Cattolica is coming off a complicated 2017 season on KTM, but is counting on the Honda of the SIC 58 Squadra Corse team to get back on track.
The young Italian rider was fast during the pre-season Moto3 tests in Valencia and Jerez. The last session is scheduled for March 6, 7 and 8 in Jerez again and Antonelli will want to confirm his results and progress. Tuttomotoriweb interviewed Niccolò, in order to capture his impressions of the moment, but not only that.
Let's start with 2017, a difficult season on the KTM. What went wrong?
“Let’s just say it hasn’t been the best year for KTM in general. Perhaps I didn't adapt perfectly right away. And on top of that I had two injuries which slowed me down a lot during the second part of the season. These three things didn't help me. »
Despite these complications, what positive things do you remember from this season?
“There was a podium and until I got injured we always started from the first two rows. It wasn't so bad. Obviously we fell short of expectations when it was supposed to be a great year, but I also remember some positive things. Even though when I want to think of something positive I don't think of 2017 but of two years ago. »
You arrived in the SIC 58 team. How is it going with your new team? And what is your relationship with Paolo Simoncelli?
“It’s going very well. It was the atmosphere I was looking for, more serene and peaceful. My relationship with Paolo Simoncelli is good. He's very direct, so it's easy to talk to him. We can talk about anything and everything. When he has something to tell you, he tells you. Everything is fine. »
After a year on KTM you come back to a Honda. Is the Japanese motorcycle more suited to your riding style?
“Yes, it's probably more suited to my riding style, because maybe I don't have to work as much to adapt to the bike. However, to be in front here, you still have to work, regardless of the bike you have. After a negative year like 2017, contact was good. »
What were your feelings during these Moto3 tests?
“I didn't think I would be this fast right away. I thought I would reach this speed a little later. I'm very happy, I had very good feelings. However, I need to regain some speed, because I lost some last year due to my injuries. But I'm happy, I'm becoming fast again and quite quickly. »
What goals have you set for 2018?
“My main goal is to come back and fight with the leaders. The most important thing is to be at the front again in order to fight for the first places in all the races. Afterwards, everyone knows that it's hard to make predictions in Moto3. »
Which riders do you think are favorites for the 3 Moto2018 title?
“There are drivers who are there to win the championship. The two biggest favorites are Martin and Bastianini, and then there are also other drivers who are fast and who will also fight to win like Canet and Di Giannantonio. »
You are one of the talents of the VR46 Riders Academy. How important is it to face a champion like Valentino Rossi?
“It’s not for everyone to work with Valentino Rossi. We are very lucky. It's easy to create a relationship with him, he is always with us and you can ask him anything. He believes in us a lot, which is really great. The advice he gave me the most was about staying focused at all times, and I think I've improved on that. »
Now, you are obviously focused on getting back on track this year, but are you thinking about a future in Moto2?
“I'm not thinking about 2019 at all, I'm focused on 2018. I'll think about it a little later. Of course, moving up to the next category is one of my goals but for the moment I'm not thinking about it, and it doesn't make sense to think about it. Maybe in three or four months I will know how to answer. »
Translation by Charlotte Guerdoux.
