This Friday, August 27, 2021, Pol Espargaro answered questions from journalists from the Silverstone circuit, at the end of the first day of the British Grand Prix.
We went to listen (via teleconferencing software) to the words of the Spanish driver, author of a great performance today with the fourth fastest time.
As usual, we report here the words of Pol Espargaro without the slightest formatting.
Pol, this is probably one of your best Fridays yet with Honda. Is it due to the circuit, or to the progress you have been able to make with your machine?
« It's clear that it was a good day, but to be honest I think it was even better at Le Mans, because I was in better shape there. But as you said, everything went well today, if we put aside the medium tire which was a little too cold, and I wasn't very sure of myself, especially with the accidents that we could see. In the end I didn't attack much with the medium tires to find a good pace, but I still have a good idea of the sections where I can attack to try to find the limit. But I'm not complaining because for the moment because all the lights are green: Temperatures, the bike. Everything works well. »
“All the lights are green”
How did you experience Marc [Márquez]'s accident? You were right behind him...
« I saw his accident, and we can be sure that it was linked to the fact that his tires were cold. He had just come out of the pit lane. I think it's not really a pilot error, it's something that could happen to all of us. »
Can you tell us what was best today?
« Yes, it's very easy: The temperature is lower than usual, which provides more grip with the soft tire. Generally you have more grip in these conditions, and if you remember the conditions at Le Mans you realize they were very similar then. With most of the manufacturers I drove for, my teammate always had more difficulty than me when the temperatures were colder and the grip level was higher: They couldn't manage this grip, but for me it was On the other hand, it was a big advantage. »
« It's like that, some people are fast with little grip, and me it's the opposite. The problem is that you have more places with a high level of grip. Several times this year I explained that I lacked grip, especially at the rear, or that I could not use it well, but here everything seems simpler from this point of view. But we must continue to work. It's just the start of the weekend, and other problems may arise. »
“Everything seems simpler here in terms of grip”
You have just explained that your performance today was mainly due to grip, but it seems that the Honda, which is a short bike, is particularly well suited for this circuit. Is this your opinion?
« On paper, this circuit is really favorable to the Yamahas, and Fabio Quartararo demonstrated it well today. Afterwards, we can also say that a fast circuit like this, with fast turns, is also supposed to be favorable for the Ducatis. As for our bike, maybe it's not the best place of course, but the new asphalt definitely gives us more grip, and that really helps us, especially when entering corners. We can stop the bike faster and brake really late, I can use the rear brake more easily and open the throttle earlier, I have less slippage. These are conditions that I like, and that I had only encountered at Le Mans so far this season. »
Are you optimistic for the rest of the weekend?
« In the end we didn't do anything concrete today. The results we obtained today count for nothing, and tomorrow everyone will be able to improve their times. Nothing is done, and so we must continue to work to be ever faster from one session to the next. Even if the sensations are good, we must understand where we are weak and where we can improve. »
MotoGP British Grand Prix FP2 results:
