MotoGP Brno J0 Valentino Rossi Conference: the rebound, the engine, Ducati, etc. (Entirety)

Via the official website MotoGP.com, we attended the pre-event press conference for the Czech Republic Grand Prix in Brno.

Were present fabio quartararo, Maverick Vinales, Andrea Dovizioso, Valentino Rossi, Takaaki Nakagami, Joan Mir.

As usuale, we report here the entirety of the words of Valentino Rossi, without the slightest formatting.

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Valentino, you won your first Grand Prix 24 years ago here. And you still had great sensations during the last race in Jerez…

Valentino Rossi : " yes, it's an important weekend because I always loved Brno. During the last race in Jerez, we changed a few things, which gave me a better feeling and allowed me to enjoy the whole weekend. Getting back on the podium after a difficult period was a great feeling. So it is very important to understand if I can also be strong here, because the track is very beautiful and I have always loved it, but in the last years we have suffered a bit with the Yamaha. It is therefore important to understand our potential on a new track and with other conditions, to know what could happen in the next races. »

How is it going with your new team leader, David Muñoz?

« During the summer of last season we realized we needed something different. So we changed the chief mechanic and we bet on a younger chief mechanic who came from Moto2. Without experience in MotoGP, but I really like his approach, since he worked in my team in Moto2. I find that very good. He can teach me a lot and it's another way of working on the bike. We need a fresh perspective. Of course, it will take time to progress our relationship and for him to understand what I need, but we will be able to understand if we are in the right direction in the next races. »

Are you worried about the engine problems experienced by Yamaha at Jerez?

« Yamaha is working very hard to understand and resolve the issue. We now have to hope that everything will be OK, and I don't think that if we are on a faster circuit like here or in Austria, it will be a bigger problem for the engine. But perhaps it depends more on the temperatures in Jerez and the extreme conditions. I think here and in Austria it will be a little cooler, so it will be easier for us but also for the bike. »

Do you consider yourself a contender for the top 5 or top 3 of the championship, or even the title?

« The situation changed quickly because the feeling was very bad during the first race. But after a good race, it's normal to think you can reach the top, step by step. Before the goal was to stay in the top five, then now the top 3, but a lot depends on the results and my speed in the next races. I think we are open to fighting for all kinds of results. »

You have been at Ducati. What would you tell them regarding the current negotiations with Dovizioso?

« (Laughs) nothing, if possible! What we have seen in the past is that the relationship between riders and Ducati is sometimes difficult. When I was there, in 2011 and 2012, it wasn't easy! So I think that's why they haven't managed to sign the contract yet, but I hope for both parties that they continue together because Dovi has always been strong with Ducati in recent years. »

It appears that Marc Márquez was injured in a domestic accident. This has also happened to you…

« Ah yes… I think you are talking about 2009, before the first test in Malaysia. I was at home but came across a glass table. The table exploded and I had to get stitches on my finger and the bottom of my foot. It was very painful. At home, you have to be careful because it's sometimes dangerous (laughs). »

We are talking about your brother Lucas Marini possibly at Ducati next year…

« I don't know very well but I think that right now the important thing for him is to continue to fight for the championship in Moto2 and to try to win races. And I hope he can have good opportunities, which could be Ducati or I don't know what else, for next year in MotoGP. »

Do you have a virus protocol for VR46 Riders Academy training?

« I think our protocol is the same as for everyone. Just like Fabio, we are very worried about the situation after the news regarding Pérez. It seems he went to Mexico City to meet his mother, and in Mexico City the situation is bad regarding Covid-19. Due to a little bad luck, he will miss at least two Grands Prix, so we have to be careful. Honestly, I don't see many people because I always stay at home. I only see my girlfriend and my family. Regarding our academy boys, we are always more or less together because we train together. But anyway, we do checks every week and the situation in Italy is good. But we must be careful. »

Fabio said he wasn't interested in statistics, but you're approaching your 200th podium. Will you seriously consider this?

"JI laughed a little with Fabio because I understand him: normally, you start to be interested in statistics when you get older (laughs). When you're young, you usually don't care. You know, I'm not here for the 200 podiums. I'm here because I love racing motorcycles and I love the challenge of trying to stay on top. So it's just a number. But when you're older, you start looking at the numbers, and it's okay: I'm proud! But that's not the main motivation for me, nor for anyone here. »

How is working with David Muñoz, your chief mechanic who is starting out in MotoGP?

« I feel very good because it is very different. He is a very young chief mechanic, from a good generation, particularly in Spain and he has progressed in the Pons team which has a lot of experience in settings and chassis. But apart from these technical abilities, his approach is very calm, very optimistic, and at this level, it is very important for a driver to feel this kind of support in the box. »

Social media question: after the disaster of your drivers' celebrations in Jerez, are you considering inviting Lando Norris to teach Celestino Vietti how to pour a bottle of champagne?

« (Laughs) thank you very much. In Jerez, our riders had a great disaster after the checkered flag, because they were able to crash together in Moto2 while congratulating each other (laughs). But fortunately, they are fine. For Celestino the problem is a little more serious because he has a bad hand injury. They are now using Lando Norris style to hit the bottle (on the floor). The week before, my brother did the same, but without breaking the bottle, but I think Celestino jumped off the podium and that was a bit too much (laughs). The bottle exploded and he had like 10 stitches in his hand and was in a lot of pain. He will suffer again this weekend, but as you say, we need some advice from Lando who always opens his bottle like this, but without breaking it. »

 

Photo credits: MotoGP.com