Luca Marini was part of the group of daring people who decided to stay on slick tires on a wet track a few kilometers from the finish of a twisty Austrian Grand Prix. But not everyone is like Brad Binder who managed to escape to protect himself from the ogres in rain tires who returned to the race and who swallowed everything in the last lap. The VR46 rookie Avintia is still proud of the top 5 acquired, even if he hoped to make history with his big and illustrious brother Valentino Rossi…
With less than five laps to go, Luca marini found himself fighting for a previously unthinkable podium. But when Marc Marquez, Pecco Bagnaia, Fabio Quartararo, Jorge Martin et Joan mir entered the pit lane to take their second bike with rain tires, Luca marini suddenly rose to fifth position. He had chosen the other strategy, that of the future winner Brad Binder with Aleix Espargaro, Valentino Rossi et Iker Lecuona, who continued on slick tires.
The chance of a first podium in the premier class suddenly seemed within reach of the previous year's Moto2 world runner-up, until Bagnaia, Martin et Mir rush towards the group with the appropriate soles. “ It was a wild ride. On the last lap it was really hard not to fall Says Marini. " On the penultimate lap, only turn 3 was really wet, otherwise I was able to drive very well with the slicks in the conditions. On the last lap, however, the track was completely wet and it was very difficult because tires and brakes were getting cold ».
« The last lap was really difficult. I just tried to manage it in the best way possible because I believed in the podium, but ultimately the guys on wet tires were very fast in the last three corners. I tried to defend myself, but it was impossible ».
Marina: “in one lap we lost 20 seconds”
« I just tried to keep a cool head and not make any mistakes. I didn't think the others would put on wet tires so quickly, but unfortunately it then rained very hard. Our last lap was 1'51, so we lost 20 seconds. It would have been enough if it had rained a minute later, but it's the race ».
He adds : " I am proud of my result and my race. I am very happy that I was smart and made the right decision at a critical time. It makes me proud of the work I do. It's just a great feeling. The podium would of course be better, but we have to enjoy this race and then think about the next one »
However, there could have been a great moment on an unprecedented podium: “ we were about to make history as we could finish 2 and 3 », recalled the pilot of 24 years. “ It was a very difficult race, but we enjoyed the fight. It’s been a great race and fighting with him is fantastic every time. When I'm next to him, you always worry a little more, but it's nice. Let's hope we fight for the front places more often ».
Instructor VR46 also helped in the decision-making process: “ There was a moment before everyone went into the pits where I wanted to change bikes because I said to myself: 'Now or never'. But when I wanted to enter the pit lane, I saw him pass and I said to myself: "Then I'll stay outside too." » So we fight until the end ».
MotoGP Austria J3: classification
Credit classification motogp.com
