As the new Mooney VR46 Racing Team made its launch on Thursday February 24 in the sumptuous surroundings of the Rossini Theater in Pesaro, Italy, on the Adriatic coast, Luca Marini answered journalists' questions the following day via teleconferencing software .
We transcribe his entire remarks here without any formatting.
Luca, you will ride this season on the same machine as the factory riders. Do you think you can progress in your riding style to get the full potential of the bike?
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This year's bike is truly fantastic. Of course we still have to work on it a little more, but after a few races I think we will really be at our best level. My driving style has improved a lot compared to last year. I tried to modify it somewhat, by improving on my weak points in particular, and I think I am a little stronger than last year. I made a lot of progress during the Mandalika tests, especially with regard to the race simulations where I was able to really understand my sensations with the front tire.
This isn't something that's obvious over the entire distance of a race because pressure and temperature can change dramatically when you're snuggled into a rider's slipstream. It's very difficult to ride the bike in these conditions, and last year it caused me a lot of problems. But I think I am now ready for all the situations that may arise in the race, and I am sure that I still have a good margin of improvement, like the rest of the bike. »
Will having a new chief mechanic this season, in this case David Muñoz, slow down your adaptation to the new bike?
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I don't think I'll need more time, because I already have a good understanding of how the bike works during these first tests. My collaboration with David is very good. Beyond his skills as a chief mechanic, he is a great person, I love working with him. He will definitely have a key role in the team, because he is a man of experience, even if it is still a little limited in MotoGP. He is an intelligent, very calm person in all situations. This is something very important to me. »
In which area do you think you have progressed for the new season?
« It's important for me to always progress, and never feel like I've arrived. I do indeed think that we can progress every year, and a good example of this is Lewis Hamilton, who in my opinion really succeeds in working on himself to take new steps forward every year. So this is the path that I want to follow, and it is all the more necessary as MotoGP has really become a very competitive discipline now. You should never be satisfied with yourself and work on small details. You always have to question yourself to continue to progress, because all the other drivers will continue to improve. My riding style has progressed a lot since last year, and so I had to adapt my riding style to the Ducati, and now I'm able to adapt the Ducati to my own riding, so that's something positive thing. »
“It’s important to always progress, and never feel like you’ve arrived”
Did you have less pressure last year when you were on a Ducati which showed no improvement during the year?
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I think it's the opposite. The situation was much more difficult and the situation was therefore much more stressful, because when you have a technical package that is not up to par, you put pressure on yourself because you have to give yourself even more on the track. In my opinion it was really a problem last year because I was never really able to drive with calm and serenity. I rarely had the opportunity to appreciate the present moment.
Conversely, having the GP22 at my disposal during pre-season testing allowed me to take more time to prepare, and therefore to feel more comfortable on the bike. I didn't have the pressure to do a fast lap to be at the front. Everything was more settled. I loved the sensations I was able to experience on the new bike. It's true though that this can be a source of pressure because I have the same bike as the other factory riders, and it's easy to see if any of them are better than me by looking at the data . »
“Last year I was never really able to drive with calm and serenity”
Last year the VR46 team shared its garage with Avintia. Does having only one team in the box this season make things easier?
« Frankly I don't believe it is possible, by any means, to make life easier in MotoGP. The most important thing is to share the same objectives in the team. It's a great feeling to feel pushed by the people who work with me to reach the best positions in MotoGP. I think it's something fantastic. »
Have you changed your physical preparation compared to last year?
« No way. I'm quite satisfied with my preparation so far, but I think I will be able to improve even more as the season progresses. Our standard of preparation is good, I simply tried this time to do something more specific to me, and more adapted to my needs on the bike. Last year I know for example that I had weakness in my left shoulder due to previous injuries, and no operation could do anything about it. I lack strength at this level, and I always have to adjust my preparation even if it is already much better than in 2021. In any case we will see after a few races in which areas I still need to improve. »
What do you think of Pecco Bagnaia's contract extension with the official Ducati team?
« I think it's a good thing, and for everyone. It's good to have extended at this time, so he will be able to start the season with a free mind. Pecco will be able to concentrate on the races one after the other and thus more easily aim for this title which he wants as much as Ducati. »
“With his contract extension, Pecco will be able to concentrate on the races and the title”
