In a Grand Prix paddock that swears by youth, Giovanni Sandi is one of those veterans who play the role of wise man and are the guardians of memory. Their great experience can help channel a new generation whose ability to listen seems less developed than their elders, like their taste for effort according to the elder who has seen others. And he explains why...
John Sandi is a pillar of the Grand Prix paddock, a well of science that feeds the Italtrans team. Enea Bastianini understood the possibilities of his valuable collaboration and he never forgets it when he explains how he became Moto2 World Champion in 2020. John Sandi is one of the most experienced technicians in the paddock.
A 71 years he has conquered, with the one who will debut in MotoGP on the Ducati Avintia, his eighth world title. Before that, he had already had success with Tetsuya Harada (Yamaha 250 cc: 1993), Max Biaggi (Aprilia 250 cc: 1994, 1995, 1996 and in WSBK in 2010) and Jorge Lorenzo (Aprilia 250 cc: 2006 and 2007). Sorry!
The wise man explains his final season with Bastiani in this beautiful way: “ I always talked to Enea, just me and him, and often. I wanted to make him understand that he had to make good use of his talent, because he had never done it with determination or will before. So I told him: “Enea, if you don't win with the talent you have, you will remain as one of the many who won nothing. We can do this, Enea! ", he revealed in an interview with GP One.
This contact with the new generation gave Password a very precise idea of his physiognomy. And he delivers it, at the risk of disturbing those concerned: “ these are guys who don't always seriously understand what they're doing. It's easy for them, they run, they have fun. But if you want to be a champion, you need more "Says Password. " This is a generation that is hovering on a cloud. They have everything, they have fun and that's why they don't have that thirst for success, that determination with which you make the difference ».
Sandi: “the older generation was poorer”
To make himself understood, he compares with the one he knew and who had to prove more to survive: “ they were poorer. A greater sacrifice was needed to achieve what they had in mind. Not everyone could afford it. It is also true that things have changed now, you live in a different world. But if you're willing to make sacrifices, you have a little more than others ».
A true champion is therefore recognized by his personality, his charisma, his rusticity, his spirit of sacrifice to the cause. How Password does it detect the eye of the tiger? “ You can see it immediately. The rider is sitting on the motorcycle and you can see him without any detour. At my age, I can tell if someone has talent the moment they start working. You can see immediately if someone is good, if they are a talent or a driver that has been developed. So if he has to put a lot of things together because he doesn't have that natural talent ».
In this regard, what does he think of the man he has just seen start in MotoGP with the title of Moto2 World Champion: “ Bastianini can do it all ”, is convinced Password. " In MotoGP there are more electronics, more power, different tires and adapting to all these things makes the difference. But if you look at his bike and his talent, Enea can compete with the great champions ". It must be said that he went to a good school. It will therefore be to follow this season…
