Former World Champion Fausto Gresini's team has a unique situation in Grand Prix in that it is the only one to represent a factory, in this case Aprilia. When Luigi Dall'Igna left the head of the competition department of this manufacturer at the end of 2013, his successor Roman Albesian entrusted the logistics part to the Gresini Racing team. This is therefore halfway between a factory team and a satellite team, at least until the end of 2021.
Then Massimo rivola, Albesiano's successor, announced that Aprilia would have its own factory team from 2022, like the five other manufacturers involved in MotoGP.
“This project has always made me very proud » explained Gresini to Serena Zunino of Motosprint.corrieredellosport.it. “ We are the first “independent team” representing a manufacturer and we will be together in 2021, at least. It's not like when we were at Honda, that we were a satellite team with official bikes, here we have more direct management, even with company supervision. Commitment lies in the middle. This year comes a new bike, there is a lot of desire to be competitive. We hope that we can reap the fruits of this work. »
At the end of 2021, there will be seven years of Aprilia–Gresini cohabitation in MotoGP: what do you plan?
“Aprilia wants to engage directly as a manufacturer. We will see if we continue together or if our paths separate. Whatever Aprilia decides, I will continue in MotoGP and that is the most important thing for me. »
Fausto Gresini is one of the most omnipresent men in the paddock with a team entered in each of the four categories. Aprilia Racing Team Gresini supplies RS-GP to Aleix Espargaró et Andrea Iannone in MotoGP, while in Moto2, Nicolò Bulega and Edgar Pons make up the Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 team. In Moto3 the Kömmerling Gresini Moto3 team counts on Gabriel Rodrigo and Jeremy Alcoba, and in MotoE on Matteo Ferrari, winner of the category in 2019 and of the e-race last Sunday.
As for the future on the circuits, “ I would like to continue a little longer", wished the fifty-nine-year-old native of Imola, “sometimes I tell myself that one day I will have to stop doing this work, because I am getting too big, but when I think of that day, I am sad. So I want to take advantage of this world, and help make it grow, make it even better. »
Double 125 cm3 World Champion in 1985 and 1987, surrounded by Ángel Nieto in 1984, Luca Cadalora in 1986, Jorge Martinez in 1988 and Álex Crivillé in 1989, how does Fausto Gresini see himself?
“Like crazy (smile)!” I am passionate about what I do. I love it so much that I'm wasting my life. My life has always been about motorcycles and racing, first as a rider, then as a team manager, and I am passionate about finding new talent. »
“You don't always succeed, in those cases you might feel bad, but you try again. I built Gresini Racing, a full-fledged company that works every day for competitions and to achieve results and provide services to our partners, I am proud of that. At the center is competition, which is a platform to use to grow the business. We thought 360 degrees. »
You who became World Champion in the minor category of MotoGP, which was 125 cc at the time, how would you describe Moto3?
“In this class, you look closely at young people to give them a future. It would be nice to have the possibility of moving them into higher categories later, but for the moment we have not yet been able to do that directly. »
“We launched many Italian drivers, from Niccolò Antonelli to Lorenzo Baldassarri, then Enea Bastianini who won his first races with us, we discovered Fabio Di Giannantonio. And then we won with Jorge Martin. For everyone, Moto3 is just a transition, but this is also true for Moto2. »
Is single-engine Moto2 in a class of its own?
“It’s a category that looks a lot more like MotoGP, with a much more powerful bike. Even though all the bikes are the same, it's still a competition bike that takes guys to the big jump. »
What do you expect in Moto2 from Nicolò Bulega and Edgar Pons?
“Bulega arrived with the great desire to embark on this new adventure. I think he needed to change teams, just to have a new experience. He arrives with enthusiasm and we are happy to have an Italian rider in Moto2. Next to him is Pons, who won the CEV. It’s a young and strong team. »
You are a former pilot, has this helped you in your work?
“A lot, because I understand a lot of things that others can't understand. A mechanic or head mechanic may have never ridden these bikes, so they don't know what it's like to take on a track with a bike that doesn't allow you to do what you want. »
“It is true that today, compared to then, electronics, data recording and engineers help you, but my experience counts. In difficult times, I can get closer to the pilots and speak “their” language. I call it “pilotsco”. I know exactly what happens in those moments. But I don't take care of technical decisions, I only have a say in certain cases, and with the drivers I do the same. I try to accompany them without getting in the way. »
What has MotoGP taught you on a human level?
“To be a serious person who makes commitments when she knows she can keep them. I always tell children that sport is a very important gymnastics in life and that it allows you to learn many things, how to live and how important respect is. Many of the values that I acquired in this sport, I brought with me into life. »
Do you have a regret?
“There always are. As a rider, it was not having beaten Luca Cadalora when I had the chance, in 1986, and not having raced in 250cc. »
Your best memory?
“I have a lot of beautiful ones and a lot of ugly ones. Motorcycles have given and taken away a lot from me. A very nice memory is that of my first victory in 250 with Loris Capirossi in 1999, which was a great satisfaction. To this, I add the first podium in 500 with Alex Barros and the first World Championship won with Daijiro Kato. »
A more recent memory?
“2018, when we finished first and second in the Moto3 World Championship with Martin and Di Giannantonio. It was a championship that I wanted with all my strength, because I come from this category. I missed this title, I wanted it, that year I won everything there was to win. Many things ! »
Your career as a team leader intersected with that of Simoncelli. When we talk about you, it is inevitable to think of him.
“His smile, his voice, his hair, his lightness, his way of competing… He was a true warrior, he loved to fight, he loved hand-to-hand combat, he never backed down. He enjoyed these things. He never got angry, he laughed. He was a very combative man and people appreciated him for that. And then he was very spontaneous… He was strong. »
Fausto Gresini and Loris Capirossi
20 years ago, Loris Capirossi gave Gresini Racing his first victory at Sepang in 250 cc
Photos © Gresini Racing
