The interview given by Iannone to the site GP One differs quite a bit from the official Ducati press release preliminary to the Malaysian Grand Prix which will take place this weekend. While, in the latter, the pilot rejoices at a decided return, it is a participation imposed by the employer which is described in the first. Despite a still fractured vertebra.
Between Ducati and Iannone, could things be turning sour? It would be a waste for a victorious couple in Austria. And yet, the speech given on the GPOne website is alarming: “ Ducati put pressure on me to be in Malaysia and others too. So I came but it's a real effort and the humidity here won't help me. The flight was an ordeal. Although I am better, I am not yet recovered. The vertebra is still broken and the doctors continue to say it will take me between three and two and a half months to recover. And we are not there ».
It will be recalled that the accident took place in Misano on September 9. However, immediately after his fall and for the following round in Aragon, the teammate of Dovizioso wanted to come back. Since then, the mindset has changed: “ At the time, I didn't realize the seriousness of the problem. I just wanted to drive. Then I tried again in Aragon and there I realized the seriousness of my injury ».
He explains : " driving isn't that painful, but that's after. When I tried in Aragon, I suffered a lot afterwards. I spent a sleepless night. I'm not too bad but not the best. It's a difficult situation to accept because it comes at a good time in my career. I had no experience with this type of injury. You don't immediately realize how long it will take you to recover. The months that pass seem like a lifetime ».
Iannone is therefore at Sepang and will drive his GP17. With what objective? “ I didn't come here to do nothing. I will try to do my best and I want to participate in the Grand Prix. It's also one of my last chances to ride my Ducati. We'll see after the first day where I'll be. It won't be easy and I will be patient, I will make my way without worrying about the other drivers. I'm going to have to deal with the pain ».
