On this Sunday, August 8, 2021, Valentino Rossi answered questions from journalists from the Red Bull Ring circuit, at the end of the Styrian Grand Prix.
We went to listen (via teleconferencing software) to the words of the Italian rider who is starting his last half-season in MotoGP.
As usual, we report here the words of Valentino Rossi without the slightest formatting.
Valentino Rossi: " Ultimately, the race wasn't a disaster because I was hoping to score some points. Unfortunately, I lost a few positions during the first laps, but after that my pace wasn't too bad until the end. I was able to drive decently. It was also quite funny because I fought with more or less the riders I expected, the riders who had a similar pace to me yesterday. We finished the race and we scored a few points. Of course, this track is not the best for the Yamahas because acceleration and top speed are very important here, and these are two things in which we suffer a little. So ultimately, it's not such a bad result. »
What happened during the departures, where you seemed to have problems?
« In the last two races of the first part of the season, at Sachsenring and Assen, we had a different system for the starts. The system was bad and didn't work for me. With this system, I don't feel comfortable and I have lost every time during the starts, whether at Assen or at the Sachsenring. Normally, I was going well, before this modification. So for this race we have worked and we have progressed but we are not yet 100%. This is a problem that concerns the start of the race. The other problem is that during the first laps everyone is definitely very, very aggressive and we are quite slow on the straights. So when you're in the pack with the other bikes that are faster in a straight line, it's difficult not to lose position, because you're trying to brake hard but you have the other bikes next to you. It's not easy because of that, in the first laps for us. »
Can you talk about the starting system that doesn't suit you?
« This is because we had the start device also at the front during the last races, like the other bikes. But the problem for me is the electronics: With this system you have to modify the electronics and for me that created a bit of problems. This time we have made progress, but not yet enough. »
We saw a red flag again today because of an incident that happened in turn 3. What do you think?
« I sincerely think that what happened today with Pedrosa and Savadori could have happened anywhere. This circuit has three or four intense braking sessions and the most dangerous place is turn 3 because you brake there from the exit (of the previous corner). So when you have heavy braking, it's dangerous and it's also hard on the brakes, like the problem Maverick had last year. So it's not just one thing, it's several factors together, but I don't know what we can do. »
Could we take the old route again?
« The old route was magnificent! He is magnificent ! But I think it would be more dangerous because it's an old circuit which doesn't have any clearances, as far as I know. »
Hong Kong fans let you know that they always find you positive even in difficult times and that you have changed their lives. Do you have a message for them?
« I really have to thank my fans in Hong Kong. It's a great place, completely crazy, and the passion for MotoGP and for me is very high. So, what I can say is that whatever happens, there are a lot of races left before the end of the season and I thank them all for their support over all these years: I am very proud of that. »
We saw you talking a lot with Brembo technicians…
“Yes, I spoke with the Brembo technician called Alex. He's Italian and he's a very good boy. He was worried because yesterday I was really at the limit in terms of temperature. But today, for this afternoon, we changed the bike's settings and we tried to make things easier on the front brakes, and today they worked very well throughout the race. I had no problems. »
Styrian MotoGP Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring: Results
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
