Our Italian colleagues on the site TuttoMotoriWeb interviewed the Tech3 driver who currently occupies sixth place in the world championship.
They chose, instead of delving into this or that subject, to ask a whole series of questions likely to interest the general public, questions to which the double Moto2 world champion answered directly.
Valentino Rossi, Marc Marquez, Yamaha Factory, anything goes, and the MotoGP Rookie’s answers are far from uninteresting…
How do you judge your first season in MotoGP? Can you take stock?
“I think this first season has gone well, better than I could have expected, and I'm very happy because I'm close to the leaders, and although I still have a lot to learn, I think I'm at a good level. If I had to rate myself on a scale of 0 to 10, I think it would be between 6 and 7, maybe 7."
At the start of the season, you and Valentino bickered a bit. Can you say what happened between you?
“It was nice to compete with him. All I wanted to do was beat him, for my team. Fighting against Valentino can be psychologically inhibiting, so I wanted to go beyond that and fight with him. Rossi is a fantastic driver and beating him is not easy. Besides, when you struggle with him, you gain visibility because a lot of people ask you a lot of questions. »
After Rossi's injury, did you expect a call from Yamaha?
“No, I didn’t expect that. I'm too focused on my commitments with my team and my bike. So I didn't expect Yamaha to call me. »
What happened to Misano?
“I didn't have enough fuel and, during the last lap, the fuel shortage showed up, and I had to go very slowly. While taking the last turn, the bike stopped because it was out of fuel. I had to push her for the last few meters, but at least I got a point. »
Did you have an idol when you were a child? Who was your favorite driver?
“My favorite was Valentino Rossi, I loved the Italian drivers. Then I liked Pedrosa in 2005 and 2006, but now, looking at all the categories, I really like the way Marquez drives and I want to emulate him. »
Among the drivers you competed with, who impressed you the most?
“Marquez is the driver who impressed me the most, and I am learning from him. »
At the start of the season Yamaha seemed to be the bike to beat, now Ducati and Honda seem to be ahead: what happened?
“It's difficult to say, I'm not a technician, but only a pilot. At Honda and Ducati they had problems, but they were not very far away. I don't know if they made any improvements to the Yamaha. I don't want to comment on this topic because I'm not an expert. »
When you arrived in MotoGP, you were immediately able to exploit the Yamaha like Jorge Lorenzo did in his time. How come he can't do the same with the Ducati? In his place, do you think you would have the same difficulties?
“The Yamaha is a motorcycle that offers a lot of safety, it is very reliable and allows you to keep everything under control. Perhaps this is what Lorenzo is currently missing with the Ducati. I'm a pretty gentle rider and I don't like to force the bike too much when there's no problem, and this style suits the Yamaha well. But I think with the Ducati the situation is different. »
Rossi's contract expires in 2018. Do you think you can be his heir at the Yamaha team?
“I hope to be the driver who takes his place if he decides to end his career. Of course, I would like to take his place, but I have to earn it, so this year will be very important, it will be decisive. If I am among the best and always close to the podium, I will deserve to join the official Yamaha team. »
Who will win the world championship, in MotoGP and Moto2?
“I think MotoGP will be won by Marquez. From the start of the season, he gave me the impression of managing everything better than the other drivers. This offers a lot of advantages and, in the end, I think he will be titled. In Moto2, on the other hand, it's difficult to say, but I think it could be Luthi: he was really good in seizing the opportunity at Misano. »
