Pol Espargaró experienced a new disappointment in Austin on his Honda which earned him a new remark from the team manager of the team in Repsol colors Alberto Puig: “ on the negative side, Pol unfortunately didn't get the result we all expected ". Silverstone will ultimately have been for Aleix's younger brother only a respite in a season which will remain marked by disappointment, barring a turnaround in the three Grands Prix which remain to be contested this year. In any case, Marc Marquez's teammate assures that he will cope.
Pol Espargaro continues to suffer in what is his first year as an official pilot Honda. He suspected that adapting to the RC213V would not be easy when leaving his KTM-badged RC16, but all the same... He couldn't imagine going through such an ordeal. After 15 races, Silverstone is his only highlight. The Spaniard took pole position, led the Grand Prix and eventually finished fifth. Otherwise he also has a seventh place at Misano 1 and two eighth positions at Qatar 1 and at Le Mans to present.
Meanwhile, his teammate Marc Marquez, who started the year two Grands Prix behind and who is still doing his job with an arm and a half left, has won two victories. The last being Austin, for winning a Grand Prix of the Americas that Pol Espargaro finished only tenth, 20 seconds behind the leader after almost as many laps completed in the race.
For a former Moto2 World Champion, who is far from his rookie season, it's quite depressing. He doesn’t deny it, but he’s not the type to break down: “ I am not someone who gives up in a difficult situation “, he said on Motorsport-total. " I'm not a coward. I am facing these problems and I want to improve the situation. If we can do it, the feeling will be better ».
« Whatever happens, last weekend is in the past he adds. " When I get up in the morning, I'm as hungry as the first day with the Honda. For me, the mentality is always the same. I always try to do better. I always try to stay motivated. Every weekend is of course different. You have to make different decisions. It's a learning process. We must learn with the team and know each other better ».
Pol Espargaró: “When I have problems, I sometimes don’t know what to do”
Because everything is still there between Pol Espargaro and Honda: we must build a common experience: “ I still lack a lot of knowledge about the Honda. When I have problems, I sometimes don't know what to do. There isn't enough time. During testing I can come to the pits, think about it and then try to ride differently. This is hardly possible in racing if you are fighting with other drivers. This means I can't immediately adopt a different riding style. This is why I need to know the bike better to be able to use all the electronics and also implement my riding style better. ».
In view of the challenges encountered, we must at least hope that they will be useful in establishing a new dynamic in 2022, the year when a new motorcycle is promised by the brand. A deadline that awaits with great interest Pol Espargaro who admits to working in secret with the engineers who conveniently are almost his next-door neighbors: “ I'm lucky that the Japanese engineers are in Andorra during the European races ", declares I will espargaro which reminds us where its foot on the ground is. “ I've met with the engineers often and we've talked about what's wrong and how we can improve. At home I also analyzed the data so I could improve ". Even in his homes, Pol Espargaro works to get by.
