This Friday, November 5, 2021, Joan mir answered questions from journalists from the Algarve International Autodrome in Portimão, at the end of the first day of the Grande Prémio Brembo do Algarve.
We went to listen (via teleconferencing software) to the words of the Spanish driver, holder of the fourth place in the combined times at the end of the first day.
As usual, we report here the words of Joan mir without the slightest formatting.
Joan, can you tell us how your first day in Portimão was?
« I am very happy with this first day. The feeling was immediately good with the bike, which made my day a little easier than usual. We must see now what we are able to do tomorrow. We will have to try to qualify as best as we can. We will try to get a place at least on the second row of the grid and then we will advise. »
Would you go so far as to say that this is your best Friday of the season? You indeed seemed both fast and regular, and so close to the limit that you gave yourself a real scare [Mir was almost thrown off his machine during FP1, editor's note]…
« I do not really agree. Already between Aragón and Misano-1 we had made good progress and we had already displayed this level of performance, but subsequently in Austin then Misano-2 we lost track a little due to the weather conditions. But today we had a Friday without any real disruption, and it gave us the opportunity to really show our potential. It was very positive, even if I actually scared myself by being at the limit. I'm glad I got out in one piece. »
How important was it for you to have a strong Friday, especially after the tough last few rounds you went through?
« It's true that I went through a difficult period after Misano. I remember taking a week off, for the simple reason that I really needed it. It's been a long time since I took such a long period of rest. After this break, it feels good to be performing well once back on track here. I'm really motivated to have a good weekend, and I think that's the most important thing. »
Your teammate Álex Rins wore a camera on his shoulder today. Can the images taken from this camera be of any use to other pilots?
« Clearly this is a help to other riders, as at one point he used our ride-height device, so this may give clues to others on when to use it. »
You just explained that you needed a week off. Is this linked to the length of the season, or to the fact that it was much more difficult than expected for you?
« It's a bit of all of that at the same time. Last year we finished the season in Portimão, and the following Tuesday I was training by doing motocross. The title really gave me extra motivation. But at the end of the season I really needed this week of rest. »
Do you think you can challenge for second place in the championship at Pecco Bagnaia or are you already completely focused on 2022?
« As a driver, I have to finish the season in the best possible way. I'm going to do the best I can in these last two races, and if it's enough to overtake Pecco in the standings, so much the better. But we have to be realistic: Pecco is having a very good end to the season, and he is perhaps the strongest among us at the moment. Ending the season on a good note could nevertheless give me extra confidence and motivation for 2022. »
MotoGP – Portimão-2 – FP1 & FP2 combined times:
