The 2022 MotoGP season begins this weekend on the Losail circuit. The competition will thus resume its rights after almost four months of waiting in Qatar, and it will be interesting to see what is the real hierarchy of forces present after winter tests in Malaysia and Indonesia which seem to indicate a prevalence of Honda and Ducatis.
In this sense, Luca Marini's performances will be worth watching carefully this weekend. The Italian driver, who is entering his second season in the premier category, was indeed sharp in Mandalika and could well make his GP22 sparkle in this first round.
Here we transcribe the entirety of the comments made by the Mooney VR46 Racing Team driver during an interview conducted by teleconference.
Luca, you had good winter testing, what state of mind are you approaching this first round of the season?
« I can't wait for it to start! The last two weeks have been very long for me, I really need to get back on the bike. I think I worked really well during preseason, I prepared in the best way possible, and therefore I will try to do well at the start of the season. However, it won't be easy because it's the first time this year that there are so many factory bikes on the grid. The level of the field is also very high: we have several World Champions among us, and I am therefore very excited to tackle this new challenge alongside them. »
This is the first season that you will compete without your brother Valentino Rossi being present on the grid. Does this change anything concretely for you as a driver?
« Honestly I think the atmosphere in the garage will be exactly the same, because during a race weekend you are always very busy and above all very focused on your work. I think that from this point of view nothing is really going to change. On the other hand, as soon as we are on the European races, all the VR46 Academy drivers will be gathered in our motorhome, and there will definitely be a lot of discussions about the tracks visited, the tires, etc. »
Given the very good tests you have carried out so far, do you really feel confident, especially on the latest Ducati, the GP22?
« Yes of course. Last year it was more difficult for me due to the absence of winter testing, and I encountered many difficulties in achieving good lap times, and as such I fell quite a bit. I didn't work enough on the details then, and I think that this year I will be more rigorous on that: I think I will be able to work with more precision, with more experience and a full awareness of what I need to have good sensations on the bike to feel efficient.
I hope to have a good season, but it's more and more difficult every year in MotoGP because a lot of things change from one year to the next. Motorcycles are evolving enormously and riders are pushing each other to their limits. So it will be difficult for everyone this year, but our desire is to be in the game and to fight at the forefront, and from a personal point of view the objective will be to show what I am capable of track. »
