The summer break allows drivers to recharge their batteries and paddock pros to take stock at mid-season.
A true institution in the world of Grand Prix, Charles Pernat was kind enough to take a few minutes during this vacation to share his vision with us.
Carlo, during this first half-season of 2019, what struck or surprised you the most?
Charles Pernat : “What struck me the most was Márquez. It's the strongest, there's nothing to say! He comes from another planet. This year, Honda has made a bike with a good engine so it is no longer taking many risks. He no longer takes risks like in past years when the engine was weaker than the Ducati engines. I repeat, it is the strongest, there is nothing to say.”
“Afterwards, it is certain that the surprise, which for me is not a surprise, is Quartararo. This is no surprise as it was a phenomenon a few years ago. Let's not forget that we changed the regulations for him, to make him debut in the world championship a year before. It was a phenomenon then it was lost for 2 or 3 years, but it remained a phenomenon. There, he found a good bike, a good team and everyone's trust: it once again became the phenomenon it was a few years ago. This is no surprise to me. I think that in the future Marc Márquez will have to reckon with him. It's almost sure! They are the two who have great battles, and for the bike, it’s not bad because otherwise, Marc Márquez does the lion’s share.”
“Another thing I have to note is that Spain is still ahead. If you look at the world championship, there are already 3 or 4 Spaniards who are on the podium: Márquez, Rins, Viñales are in the leading group. For Italians, this is not a good time. For the next 3 or 4 years, there is no chance of winning the world championship for Italy. Because Valentino is already at an age where I think it's impossible, even if he can do things. Dovizioso is also old and is not at his best at the moment, and after that you have no spare. For his first year, Bagnaia is not doing much with Ducati. Morbidelli is not bad but then you have to wait for Bastianini, Baldassarri, Marini, Arbolino, Dalla Porta, but it will still take 3 or 4 years... That's why I think Italy will not win the world championship until then. I hope I'm wrong, but "Boo!" is rather negative. It's the truth ! There is indeed a Frenchman, Fabio Quartararo, whose parents are Italian. So we can play on the fact that his parents are Italian… (laughs).”
“Afterwards, there is this Valentino crisis. So I say there are three things: Either Valentino is already a little old, and then it's Sunset Street, as we say in English, or it's a problem with Yamaha, or its team. I think Valentino still trains every day with the youngsters, so it's not a problem of age or motivation. Yamaha continues to put riders on the podium, so for me the problem lies elsewhere. I think it’s his team, the technical leader “Bou! », I don't know... But I think the problem comes from the team. But not telemetry, not Flamini. But the technical chief is too serious, “Boo! ", I don't know, there's something that's not working, and it's not the Yamaha, and it's not him."
There is a rumor in the paddock that his close guard is taking up too much space in his strategy...
“But that’s how it’s always been in his life. He trusts his friends and that hasn't changed. So probably, I repeat, it's more in his team, not in people like Uccio and the others. No, honestly, he needs people like that. It's his way of living. And every day he trains at the ranch for 100 kilometers, fighting with the young people. So that's not it. For me, it's within the team. I hope it's just a bad patch because we need Valentino in the paddock. Fortunately he still has a contract for a 2nd year, even if we read a lot of nonsense that says Lin Jarvis is going to end the contract. I absolutely don't believe in this thing. I think Valentino will ride with Yamaha until the contract expires. It is too important as a driver and as an image for marketing. If Jarvis said that thing, that’s crazy, but honestly, I don’t think he said that.”
To be continued…
