This Sunday, April 10, 2022, Enea Bastianini answered questions from journalists from the Circuit of the Americas in Austin where he took his second victory of the season aboard his Ducati GP21.
We listened to the words of the Italian driver who now leads the championship.
As usual, we report here the words of Enea Bastianini without the slightest formatting.
Enea Bastianini: « Today's strategy was to preserve the tire but also the body because it was critical, especially in the first sector. In the end, starting from the second row, it was easier than usual, like for example in Qatar. But in the first part of the race, when I saw Jack (Miller), I tried to win but I didn't know if I could. In the middle of the race, when I also saw Álex (Rins) overtaking me many times, I understood that it was the time to attack more. In the end, winning this race is fantastic for me especially since it's in Texas, one of my favorite places. It's incredible, truly incredible! »
You won your first victory this season in Qatar, a circuit favorable to Ducati, then the second here where Ducati had never won. Is this an important and special moment for you?
« Qatar is very good for Ducati because there are a lot of straights and we have a lot of power on the bike, but here my bike was also very fast, also compared to the other Ducatis. We will see if we can repeat this result in the future but for the moment I am happy with this result. In the European races, I think the gaps will be narrower again.
»
In which area can you still improve?
« My feeling is that I'm really fast on corner entries, especially when there's heavy front braking, but at the moment I'm still paying the middle of the corner, because I'm slower there when I analyzes the data in the box, in relation to Jack and in relation to Martín. I need to improve more on this because my style is too different. »
Is this victory more important than the one in Qatar?
« I don’t know (laughs)! But these two races are important for me because it's 25 points each time. But the first is the most special: I dedicated this race to Fausto (Gresini) because it was also the first race won by the team. This one is better for me because we now know that we are consistent and in every race we are in front. Not in Argentina but it was a really strange weekend for us.. So as far as I'm concerned, it's the latter.
»
Was the first victory in Qatar, on a circuit favorable to Ducatis, mentally easier for you?
« For me, it's never easy mentally, but at the moment I know when it's time to attack during the race. But anyway, when I put on my helmet I'm very motivated and I don't know why (laughs). It's like that.
»
Do you know what other Ducati riders do differently from you?
« I don't know. The other drivers have a different style from me. Jack has a style very close to mine and I often compare my data with his. But in my opinion, the bikes are very similar: the 2021 is very close to the 2022 and I think there is not a big gap. At the moment, I am not at an advantage. »
Results of the MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin:
Credit classification and photos: MotoGP.com
