The announcement was a bit of a surprise but it is part of a movement that is flourishing. Grand Prix drivers are looking for coaches who can give them information taken from the side of the track. A mission of trust but also of links with engineers. For the position, you must have been a pilot. The latest to have adhered to the principle is Dani Pedrosa. Who handed over Sete Gibernau in light.
Un Sete Gibernau as coach of a Dani Pedrosa, this is not exactly what one would have imagined as a pair of potential winners. The first mentioned left through the back door of the Grands Prix after an honorable career while the second, still talented, seems to be pushing towards the shadows as the new generation grows up. In 2016, Dani experienced injuries and disappointments but also a victory. The same number of successes for Honda as a Jack Miller. Cal Crutchlow, he claims one more, although he has the status of private pilot.
And then despite his fine track record, Dani Pedrosa has still not put a MotoGP world crown on his head. The recipe for supreme success is therefore still to be found. And Sete Gibrenau is the new ingredient for this quest. On speedweek he explains : " firstly, I won't be as close as a Cadalora to Rossi. It seems difficult to me to teach something more to someone who has won so many Grands Prix. ».
So, what is this position for? “ If he gains confidence, if he has people around him who guarantee him a certain security and allow him to develop mental strength, then that can help him. This will be my goal: I will try to make Dani psychologically stronger. For this, I will draw on my own experience ».
On this level, Sete Gibernau will refer to both its strength and its past weaknesses to provide a good summary in favor of Dani Pedrosa. “ Dani needs someone to talk to. He must be mentally prepared for each session. Someone has to give him that confidence that is so important in our sport. Dani and I have a lot in common ».
Because it will be a human adventure, a complicity formed over time and mutual respect: “ Dani feels good when I'm around. He deserves to finally win a MotoGP championship. He has always been at the top. He is a highly respected driver who has never found himself in controversy. He never said anything negative about anyone. He has a certain education and it’s a whole that I totally agree with. ».
A tribute which however forgets the words with the late Marco Simoncelli after a collision during a French Grand Prix. Likewise, last year, he was not the last to criticize the now banned fins. But for the most part, that says it all.
As for the timetable for this new function, Gibernau becomes more evasive: “ I have my own activities in Spain. I came to Sepang at Dani's invitation and we both learned. I don't know if I will do more testing or racing with him. We'll see as we go along. We have the same ideas and the same hopes. We have a lot of things in common. I am not his employee, I was there for the passion of our sport ».
The coaching will therefore apparently not be particularly tight.
