On this Thursday, August 12, 2021, Valentino Rossi answered questions from journalists from the Red Bull Ring circuit, ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix.
We went to listen (via teleconferencing software) to the words of the Italian rider who is starting his last half-season in MotoGP.
As usual, we report here the words of Valentino Rossi without the slightest formatting.
Valentino Rossi : " Here in Austria it's not the perfect circuit for us but have to work hard to try to progress, and in particular the aim is to try to improve speed and performance from day one. We have analyzed the data and we have to do some testing. We have to try to start better and improve the grip on the bike. We have to work and stay focused to finish the race, take some points and do everything possible to be in the top 10. That's the goal for the weekend. »
What is your reaction to the announcement regarding Maverick Viñales?
« I am very, very sad about this situation, for both parties. Because Maverick is my friend, he's a good boy, and Yamaha has always been my team, for a very long time. So I think it's a shame for everything, it's a shame for the championship, it's a shame not to have Maverick on the track on the Yamaha, and I think they can sort it out somehow because , anyway, Maverick is fast and the bike is fast here, so hopefully they can talk to each other and sort things out to see Maverick on track from the next race onwards. »
Will you have any special helmet decorations for the last race of the year?
« No ! I don't know but I don't think so because I've never made a special helmet for a race that isn't in Italy. Normally I make a special helmet for Italy so we will make one for Misano. I don't know if we can do anything special for Valencia, for the last race. We haven't decided yet. We don't have a very clear protocol yet because I never retired (laughs). »
We talk a lot here about turn three which is a bit dangerous. A few other turns are there during the year?
« This circuit is dangerous because you have four braking times where you arrive at almost 300 km/h and the turns are rather tight. This is the problem. Regarding other circuits… Assen, turns six and seven and the last very fast corner before the chicane are quite dangerous because they are very fast. What else ? There are others, but I don't remember them. It's when you brake hard that you need to be careful. »
Last weekend was the first time you ran after announcing your decision. Has this changed anything in your state of mind during the race?
«
I was really curious about that, honestly, to see what would happen mentally, but there was absolutely no difference. Honestly, I remembered that I was stopping at the end of the season a few minutes after the race. When I'm on the bike, I try to stay 100% focused and I don't feel any difference because I'm having fun, I'm enjoying it, and I'm trying to be strong. I don't feel any difference. »
In relation to the announcement regarding Maverick Viñales, what is your opinion on the role of a driver's entourage?
« I have sometimes gone through very difficult periods during my long career. I remember there were three or four times where I was really, really desperate because I wasn't getting good results. I had a lot of pressure but I couldn't get the results I was hoping for and everyone was hoping for. I remember I always wanted to stop! I wanted to stay at home! I started again and I pushed a lot with my guys, with my team and with my family. Not my team, I mean with those around me! I said “no, no, no: I’m not going!” Next race, I'll stay home! ". I was lucky because all my guys, Uccio, Albi, Carlo and also my mother told me “no, you can't stop!” Right now, you don't understand what will happen if you stop. If you stop, the situation will be much worse now.” I said it couldn't be worse but they said "it will be much worse!" ". And I have to thank them because sincerely they were right. After a few years, I realized that if I had stopped at that point, the situation would have been worse than continuing. So I think the people around you are important, but I don't know exactly what's going on with Maverick and Yamaha but it's a shame because he's a good rider on a good bike, and he can get some really good results that you could see at Assen where he finished second. »
