The 2018 Argentine Grand Prix pre-event conference hosted Andrea Dovizioso, Marc Márquez, Valentino Rossi, Cal Crutchlow, Danilo Petrucci and Johann Zarco.
As usual, we report here our translation of the entirety of the words of Valentino Rossi, without any journalistic formatting or distortion.
After pre-season testing where you had a lot of work to do, you must be happy to have been competitive in Qatar…
Valentino Rossi : “yes I think that in Qatar we did a good job. During testing we also improved day by day and I expected to be able to have a good race. So starting with a podium and having a really good race is a good way to start. But you know, you never know what can happen from one track to the next. On paper, here in Argentina we are quite competitive since last year I was always quite strong and the bike was working well. Now we have to look at the conditions and the new part of the track with the new surface. We hope there will be fewer bumps, but generally speaking, I like this circuit.”
Do you think you can achieve victory there?
“Last year, this weekend here was the best for our team because we came 1st and 2nd. But the situation is different now. I think Ducati and Honda are stronger and in better shape compared to last year. So I think it will be more difficult. But
the important thing is how our bike performs with this coating and we hope to be competitive there.”
Valentino, this track seems to suit Yamaha and Suzuki better. Do you think this is due to the in-line 4-cylinder architecture?
“Bô… it’s difficult to know if the difference comes from the in-line 4 cylinders. Personally, since the first year, I have loved this circuit. It's interesting, it's technical and very fluid, and so normally it's OK for our bike. For me it depends a lot on the marriage between the tires, the asphalt and the bike. That usually makes more of a difference than the V-engine or inline-4.”
Do you consider that there is doping in MotoGP?
“For me, looking at the history of motorsport, there hasn't been a high risk of doping in the past. But I agree if they need to do more monitoring. Usually they do checks during the season, but not many. Regardless, if they do more, we’re there.”
You have very good relations with Franco Morbidelli. Do you think this year it will be easier for a Rookie to finish in the top 10?
“We have a lot of confidence in Franco because we have seen him grow since he was very, very young. I think he has great potential and talent, which he showed last year with a great season. And as you say, it's not an easy time to arrive in MotoGP, because there are a lot of very fast bikes and more than 10 riders who are very strong and who can fight for the podium. So it's difficult for Franco. But it's MotoGP. He doesn't have a lot of pressure this year, he has to learn, try as much as possible and wait until next season to have a better bike. I think it’s normal, it’s like that, but Franco has good potential.”
Question from social networks: do you have or have you had psychological help?
" No ! I've never used one. I think it's something very personal from one driver to another. I'm very old, so when I grew up there were no mental specialists (laughs). So you had to do it yourself (laughs). But I think the important thing is to get to peak concentration at the right time, especially right before the race. I think everyone has their own tips and secrets to finding the right way. But it's also possible that other pilots might need it, or might appreciate it, and it might help them. It depends a lot from one driver to another.”
Photo credit: MotoGP.com
