This year, as far as possible, that is to say if the schedule of videoconferences allows it, we have decided to follow Valentino Rossi as closely as possible in his new adventure within the Petronas SRT team, as we do so we were already doing Johann Zarco (see here) et Fabio Quartararo (see here) in previous seasons.
Concretely, this should result in a maximum of debriefings reported in their entirety so that you can experience the thoughts of the pilot concerned as closely as possible, without any journalistic formatting, and therefore despite each person's own phrasing in a non-native language.
Here is what was said today in English during the Doctor's first official press conference as a prelude to the Qatar Grand Prix...
At the start of your 26th season in Grand Prix, you keep the same bike but with different colors. A new team and tests that went well: how excited are you to start this season?
Valentino Rossi : " The atmosphere on First Race Thursday is always the same: It's like the first day of school and it's always exciting. There was also before the photo where we were all together on the grid, so we feel that we are going to start in a few hours, and that's good. As you said, I changed teams after a very long time and I feel good. The atmosphere is good and the tests did not go badly. Now we have to see (what will happen) in a real race weekend. »
You went from the factory team to a satellite team, and you have Franco Morbidelli as a teammate: Is it a more relaxed situation?
« In the factory team, but also in the Petronas team, everyone gives their all to win, so whatever happens you have pressure. The difference is that there are fewer people around the bike, but for me the atmosphere was also good in the factory team, so it's not a big change. I am very happy to have Franco as a teammate because we are good friends, we spend a lot of time together in Tavullia for training but also for free time, and I think he is one of the best riders in MotoGP right now, as he demonstrated last year. So for me it's good and it's a great motivation to fight with him. »
Who do you think is the favorite for this year's title?
« I think we have to start again from the end of the season, and in the last races the fastest were Mir, Morbidelli and Miller. »
Are you surprised that Marc Márquez is not in Qatar?
« I think from the outside it's difficult to understand. I think he wanted to come back, and so he tried, but maybe he didn't feel ready. But anyway he will come back soon and I think he will be competitive from the first race. »
During these 26 years, how much have you changed, and in what ways?
« 26 seasons is a lot to think about, but usually it's best to stay focused on the present and the future. Of course, I've changed a lot because it's a long time. I've gotten older, so I have a different feeling, but in the end the passion for motorcycling and the MotoGP championship is the same. The excitement of the first exit from the box will be the same tomorrow as in the past. I'm very happy to be here and I'm trying to give my best to be competitive this season. »
Would you like a series about MotoGP like Netflix’s “Drive to Survive” about Formula 1?
« I think this format is now famous. This documentary is fun and Formula 1 is also fun, so I think it can be good for MotoGP fans because they will be able to better understand what goes on behind the boxes. But it would also be good for a lot of people who don't know MotoGP very well: They could understand how it works. »
A particular memory of Fausto Gresini pilot?
« I knew Fausto since he was a driver because I remember very well Phillip Island, where he helped Loris Capirossi win the championship. I remember it was very early in the morning, and then he got into a fight with […] or something like that.
Then Fausto became a big rival for me during my career, because he fought for the 250cc championship when he was with Capirossi, and he fought for the MotoGP championship with Gibernau. So it's been a very bad story, very sad, and I think everyone is very scared about it in the paddock because you understand how Covid can also take away a person who is in good shape.e. »
The teammate is the first driver to beat. Now you have Franco Morbidelli, who is your friend. How are you going to handle this?
« On a personal level, I'm happy to have Franco as a teammate because we know each other, but on the track he's not the best teammate (laughs) because he's very, very strong. We knew that Franco is fast but I think that was the surprise of the second part of the season last year, because he was very strong and was able to win three races. So it will be hard and difficult but, as you say, your first look is at your teammate. This one is your first opponent that I hope we can have a good fight and that we can fight for good positions. »
Can you give a percentage chance that you will extend your contract next year?
« A percentage, I don't know, but I hope it's not the last year. But of course a lot will depend on the results. »
What tennis shoes are you wearing today?
« (Laughs) it's an old pair of Nikes (laughs). »
The social media question, asked to the six drivers present, asked them to write down the winners of the three 2021 championships…
Photo credits: MotoGP.com
