This Friday September 10, 2021, Valentino Rossi answered questions from journalists from the Motorland Aragón circuit, at the end of the first day of the MotoGP Aragón Grand Prix.
We went to listen (via teleconferencing software) to the words of the Italian driver who missed the two rounds in 2020, due to Covid and who crashed this morning.
As usual, we report here the words of Valentino Rossi without the slightest formatting.
Valentino Rossi : " Today was difficult! Honestly, we weren't expecting much because this track isn't fantastic for the Yamaha on paper, but it's not fantastic for me either: It's one of the worst tracks of my career , where I suffered a little too much! Anyway, we are working. This morning we didn't get a good start because I made a mistake and crashed. We also lost the last part of the session but it was a little better this afternoon because we tried different things. We are working on the bike to try to save the rear tire which, here too, many times in recent years, is the most important thing. So the bike has changed a bit, compared to my normal settings, but we have to try to save the tire a bit. In the end, the time isn't too bad because I'm only one second from pole position, but the problem is that everyone is there and I'm P18. The position is therefore rather bad but we must try to work to progress. Normally, during the weekend, the track in Aragón becomes better in grip with a little more rubber on the ground. So we must try to follow the track and progress with it. »
Why is this track one of the worst for you?
« Above all, you don't like tracks where you are slow! It depends a lot on your speed, your results, and of course the track becomes easy and natural if you are strong: It's much better! There's no real reason as to why you're fast on one track and slower on another. It's difficult to talk about technical reasons, that's just the way it is! »
Do you think that high temperatures can work in favor of the Yamahas?
« In my opinion, compared to Silverstone, it is much warmer here and maybe we can use the hard rear tire. And for us it's good news because normally with the hard one I can maintain a steady pace for more laps. When it's cold and we use softer tires, we suffer more. So from that point of view, it's not too bad. »
If your future child tells you he wants to be a motorcycle driver, what will you tell him?
« First of all, I must say that I am very happy to have a girl and not a boy because for sure she will not race in MotoGP (laughs)! With my brother, and also with the Riders Academy, I discovered these bad feelings that you have when you follow motorcycle racing and when part of your family is involved in it (laughs)! This is something I never thought about for my mother and father when I was young. But when you're on the other side, like for example for me with my brother, or with our drivers like Migno for example, it's difficult (laughs) to stay on the outside and follow the race. So I'm very happy that it's a girl because I wouldn't have that kind of problem (laughs). »
Have you decided what motor racing you will do? DTM or Endurance?
“We haven't decided yet but we have a lot of good contacts during these months, and I am very happy. We are trying to organize a good program for next year, at a good level. For me, I'm not thinking about DTM and I'm thinking more about racing endurance, but we haven't decided which championship yet because there are two or three to choose from. And we haven't decided on the car either, but we have a lot of good contacts and we will let you know when we have decided. »
Would you be happy to drive with Mattia Pasini in European Le Mans?
« Yes, Paso is fast! He races in LMP3 and he is very strong. He's already had a podium, so it's good because he tried a prototype whereas I usually drive GT and have never tried a prototype. I only tested a Maserati GT1 once but that was over 15 years ago. So it's good that Paso is fast because it shows that a motorcycle rider can be strong (laughs). »
???? @ValeYellow46 is down!
The Doctor is unhurt after sliding off at Turn 5! 👀#AragonGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/15mHm3a9wF
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) September 10, 2021
FP1/FP2 classification of the Aragón MotoGP Grand Prix:
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
