Luca Marini had timidly started his second MotoGP campaign this season aboard a Ducati GP22 which seemed to reject him due to its large size. The VR46 driver, whose boss is none other than his half-brother Valentino Rossi, even called at one point for an adaptation of the regulations so that drivers like him can have their chance in the Grand Prix. Then came an Italian Grand Prix where everything changed. Since then, the Desmosedici has been so praised that the same Marini defines it as the best option for the future, thus countering a rumor mentioning that in 2024, there will be Yamahas in its place. He takes stock mid-year of this 2022 vintage…
Luca marini is doing better than at the start of the season and he is now even able to fit his more status-oriented frame than that of his peers behind a Panigale V4S, as he demonstrated during the race of champions at WWD extension, finished in second place, behind the untouchable Pecco Bagnaia, but in front of his teammate Marco Bezzecchi. Whatever happens in the second half of a campaign which will resume its course at the beginning of August Silverstone in the British Grand Prix, he has already done better than last year, when he was a rookie in the category. He is thus fifteenth in the championship, with a course during which he garnered 52 points, which exceed the 41 marked in 2021.
After disappointing first games, the pilot of 24 years old woke up at Le Mans where he finished ninth. It was his first top 10. In the next three races he twice finished 6th and then 5th at Mugello, Barcelona and Sachsenring. He also signed two front rows on the grid. He started third in Argentina and at Mugello. Services at the forefront that change everything: “ it's great to learn how to approach the best drivers » he said. “If my feelings on the bike are good, then I can also achieve the results I have in minde,” explained Marini. " This gives me the confidence to work even harder every day, also with my team. I can close the gap more and more. My goal is to achieve better results from race to race ».
Luca Marini: “Valentino Rossi understands how the bike works and how the rider works on the prototype"
Luca marini also found the relationship with his machine: “ my current Ducati is the best bike “he assures. " It is extremely solid and the driving experience is very good », underlines the six-time winner of the Moto2 race on AS. " Every lap with this bike in MotoGP is like a dream for me. It's amazing that I can ride a Ducati. I like this feeling ».
He ends his remarks by also admitting that he receives advice from his boss and also half-brother Valentino Rossi: “ he understands how the motorcycle works and how the rider works on the prototype. He helps us with lots of comments and advice. Now I feel good with the bike, but at the start of the season we struggled a bit ».
