This year, as far as possible, that is to say if the schedule of videoconferences allows it, we have decided to follow Valentino Rossi as closely as possible in his new adventure within the Petronas SRT team, as we do so we were already doing Johann Zarco (see here) et Fabio Quartararo (see here) in previous seasons.
Concretely, this should result in a maximum of debriefings reported in their entirety so that you can experience the thoughts of the pilot concerned as closely as possible, without any journalistic formatting, and therefore despite each person's own phrasing in a non-native language.
Here is what was said yesterday in English during the Doctor's first press conference with his new colors...
You've been a factory rider for a long, long time, with the pressure that comes with it. Being in a more family structure this year, do you think that could make you stronger on the track?
Valentino Rossi : " So, I was a factory driver for a long, long time. I think from 2002 to 2020, i.e. 19 seasons in MotoGP. But in the first two seasons for me in 500cc, I was in a similar situation since I was in a satellite team. It's true that 20 years ago, in 500cc, it was another world, but at that time I felt very comfortable. As you said, from what I understand, there will be fewer people around the bike, but in a satellite team the way of working is also a little different. You can think more about performance for the race than about the development of the bike during the season. So that can be a good thing and I'm happy with my technical situation since I have the full support of Yamaha. And this team has already demonstrated in the first two seasons that they can win races, and that they can put their drivers in the lead, so I expect a very high level. I'm very excited to start the season. »
This will be your 26th season in Grands Prix. What are your expectations: Win races or simply be competitive?
« It's a life! 26 seasons is a very long time (laughs)! But I don't race just to pass the time. I mean it's a very important season for me because I come from the last two seasons, 2019 and 2020, which were not as good as I expected. Especially the results. The results will be important, will be the key. I want to try to be competitive, to be stronger than the last two years, to fight for podiums, to fight to win races, and try to be competitive throughout the season.
If Covid has not disappeared, I also hope that the season will be more normal than last year and that we will be able to use all the different tracks at the right times. The goal is to be strong and competitive from start to finish. »
When will you decide if this is your final year, and what will it depend on?
« I will decide during the summer break. So, in the middle of the season. I want to do half a season and my decision will be based on the results. If I'm strong and I can fight for the podium, if I can fight for the victory, I can continue for another year. Or otherwise, no. So I will decide around summer. »
Did you imagine starting over in a new team at 42?
« You never know what happens during a long career. I think now, for me, at this moment, it's good to be part of the Petronas SRT team. The technical support is good and the team has demonstrated that it can win races. »
What do you think of Miguel Oliveira?
« I think Oliveira, after his performances last year and now that he is in the factory team, can be a strong contender for the championship. So I'm putting his name in for the title fight. »
Did you hear what Franco Morbidelli said yesterday about friendship and competition?
« Yes, he said his friendship with me was more important than MotoGP (laughs). Yes, I agree with Franco. I'm happy with what he said. It is certain that true friendship between two people is something very important. This is also something very important to me in my life, because I always dedicate time and energy to having good friends. If you need to have a real friend and a good friend, you have to work a little. It is not easy.
I have been a very good friend of Franco for a long time. We worked together to get him into MotoGP. I'm very happy to be his teammate because it's a very interesting situation that no one expected, neither me nor him. It is certain that it will be difficult to manage because, you know that the teammate is your first rival, so to fight and continue to be friends, you have to have a real friendship, a real friendship relationship. So it won't be easy, but I think we can do it. And hopefully we can both be competitive to try to win races. »
Can you tell us about your winter preparation? You've said in the past that you have to work harder as you get older. What about now at 42?
« This year we were able to make the work more normal and the preparation was more normal, because last year they told us to stop on March 1st. We stopped for three months, and honestly we didn't know if we were going to start again, and more particularly when we were going to start again. So it was a bit difficult to get to the first race at 100%.
This year, the situation is clearer: we have clearer data, so we have been able to work more. When you get older, you have to work harder, especially on breathing. So more work on the bike, more running and trying to improve your high capacity. I feel good, I feel in good shape and ready to start. But we have to wait for this first test. We will have 5 days on the bike, and after this test we will be able to have a clearer idea. »
Yesterday, Wilco Zeelenberg said that you may be spending too much time in front of computer screens analyzing all the little details, and that you might need to cut that back a bit to focus more on more important things. Are you ready to do this?
« Regarding this question, honestly, I am open to anything. What I understood is that in a satellite team we will have a few fewer people to work around the bike. But you can focus more on the race results on Sunday. When you are in a factory team, you also have part of the job which consists of developing the bike during the season and for the next season. And that takes a lot of time. So I'm very excited to start working with this team, because it's my idea from the outside, but I'm not on the inside. I think we also have to figure out how best to work together, just like with Wilco and with all the other boys. But obviously, I'm open to anything. »
Perhaps you would like to share a memory of Fausto Gresini?
« Concerning Fausto, it's a very sad story, and it's also a story that gives bad feelings to everyone, because ultimately Fausto was in good shape. He was 60 years old and died from Covid. So everyone understood that you could also die from Covid, even if you are doing well. Personally, I knew Fausto since I was very young, when he was still a pilot. I remember when he was fighting with Capirossi because I already followed the races. Since Graziano was a pilot, I knew the pilots and I also knew Fausto. Then we were very tough opponents since we fought together in 250, when he was with Capirossi in 1999. And we also fought for the MotoGP championship in 2003, 2004 and 2005 with Sete (Gibernau), and also in 2005 and 2006 with Melandri. So we were serious opponents and I think Fausto was a powerful pillar of the paddock for the Italians, also because it was similar to the Academy: he had a Moto3 team where he made the young riders progress towards Moto2 and MotoGP. And also, our two teams are separated by 15 kilometers, so we always talked a lot.
So it's very bad that we don't have Fausto anymore. He is an important figure in the paddock. »
Will it be more relaxing not having to worry about development because you're on a satellite team?
« I have to understand first, but yes, whatever it is it will be different. You can concentrate more on the weekend, and the priority will not be to develop the bike. So this is good for the results. Over the past few years, we have seen that the satellite drivers have achieved a lot of good results, while sometimes the factory drivers have had more problems. So it's good for me. »
What are your hopes for Cal Crutchlow being the Yamaha test rider?
« We expect strong support from Cal as he is a MotoGP rider who only quit last year. He is in good shape and has often ridden Hondas, so he can provide some advice to Yamaha. I want to speak with him after his first contact with the M1. »
Franco Morbidelli will always have a 2019 motorcycle base and you 2020. Are you planning to make comparisons?
« No ! No, because Yamaha already made its decision last year. They said 2020 is for me, Maverick and Fabio. And Franco will continue with the 19 bike. This will be a very important aspect for this year because we need to understand if they are able to improve the 2020 bike or if the 19 is still very competitive. It will be a little harder for the team to work with two different bikes because it creates a bit of confusion, but regardless it's not a big difference. But I won't try the old one. »
Are you afraid of retiring?
« It's not an easy decision, but of course it all depends on the outcome. I think if I can be competitive, if I can fight for the podium, for the victory, I can continue for another year. But it's my idea. I haven't spoken to the team or Yamaha yet. Maybe they will tell me that I don't have a decision to make (laughs)! It's possible. Yes, my life will change a lot (when I stop), but I'm not very worried. I know I've had a long, long career and I'm happy. Regarding my physical condition, I can also do another season, but it will depend on the results. And of course, when you finally stop after 26 years, of this life, something will change. But then I would like to continue being a driver and competing with cars. So maybe it will change, but not much. I hope (laughs)! »
Since 2017, the Yamahas have not been very consistent throughout the seasons. Do you think Cal Crutchlow could be the missing piece of the puzzle?
« I think Cal can make the difference and can help Yamaha a lot. I also have a good relationship with Cal, which I am very happy to work with.
A lot will depend on motivation! Because being a test rider is not easy and you definitely need to find the motivation to push to the limit in order to understand the bike, even if you are not racing. So this won't be easy for Cal, and I hope he arrives with good motivation, with a good approach, because in any case he only stopped this winter and he is in good shape. I think that can make a difference. »
