This year, as far as possible, that is to say if the videoconference schedule allows it, we have decided to follow as closely as possible Valentino Rossi in his new adventure within the Petronas SRT team, as we were already doing for Johann Zarco (see here) et Fabio Quartararo (see here) in previous seasons.
On this Friday March 12, 2021, Valentino Rossi answered questions from journalists from the Losail circuit in Qatar, at the end of the third day of the second official MotoGP test on his Yamaha YZR-M1 from the Petronas SRT team.
We went to listen (via teleconferencing software) to the Italian pilot's words.
As usual, we report here the words of Valentino Rossi without the slightest formatting.
Valentino Rossi : " We lost a day today because the conditions are very bad, and that's a shame, but fortunately we already know since yesterday and we have already done all the important work. It's a shame because we had various other things to try and we also had to do a long run to do a race simulation. But overall, the results are positive, very positive, because we have improved a lot on the bike, the grip and the feeling, especially over the last two days. Yesterday, I wasn't so bad in terms of time and my race pace was pretty good. So I leave Qatar with a good feeling and we now have 10 days at home to train, relax and try to be ready for the first race. »
What is the most positive point of these four days of testing?
« The positive is the work done by Yamaha during the winter. They brought different good things here like the new chassis and things good for aerodynamics. I think they worked intelligently and that's very important. The second thing is the feeling, the feeling with the new team. With my whole team, it's magnificent and the atmosphere is good. So these two things make me happy. Of course, it's difficult because there are a lot of bikes and riders are very strong, but we will try to be there! »
This is one of the rare times where we could see the European test team with the Japanese test team. How is the collaboration going?
« Regarding the collaboration between Europeans and Japanese, I have pushed Yamaha a lot in recent years to move in this direction, because sometimes it is not easy to have a good balance. I think we have strong points in the Japanese system, just like in the European and Italian systems. So I think in modern MotoGP they need to work together. For example, I think this is the key to Suzuki's success last year.
It also looks good because we also have a good test team with Cal Crutchlow and Silvano Galbusera doing interesting things. Cal arrived with a good frame of mind and he is very motivated. I think he can help us during the season. So it's positive. »
Did you get vaccinated today?
« We did it this morning and I'm very, very happy because it's a big step forward towards normal life during the season. We will be able to be more normal, without the nightmare of seeing someone catch Covid and miss two or three races like what happened to me last year. I think Carmelo (Ezpeleta) with Dorna and Qatar gives us a lot of help. I am very happy ! »
Do you think this is the best Yamaha you've had in recent years?
« For me, in the last few years we had a lot of problems to solve and all the things that happened from Japan weren't really better. It seems like they are working smarter, and that is positive, but now we have to wait for the race weekend, and especially the race, because when we are all together there are other factors. But the feeling on the bike is good. »
Is this lost day a big loss for you?
« It's a shame because I had a good feeling yesterday and I feel good today. But we have already had four days so I think we have completed 85% of the program. So it's a shame because we're here, all ready, and we haven't done a single lap. But I'm happy with the work done during the test. »
How prepared are you right now, compared to last year?
« I feel good, I feel better. I feel good with the team and it seems like the bike has improved a bit. I can drive better and I was much faster than last year, in terms of time and even more so in race pace. The problem is that there are also many other drivers who are very fast, and faster than last year, so to understand the level we have to wait for the first race. »
Qatar Tests, Combined Ranking :
Credit rankings: MotoGP.com
