«The ‘boom’ that was generated around me, nobody around me has assumed it. It was like when Alonso arrived at Formula 1 », affirms the mazarronero
World champion in the debut year in Moto3. Youngest Spanish champion in history and just for one day not everyone’s. Six wins, eight podiums and an overwhelming personality. He shows an improper maturity of his 17 years, on and off the circuits. It seemed until yesterday that Pedro Acosta was one of those guys who are launched, flat and spontaneous, but also one of those who put on a shell so that their emotions do not overflow. In Portimao, logically, the latter fell under its own weight. “I spent the last lap crying,” acknowledged the pilot from Puerto de Mazarrón.
He admitted that he has not yet assimilated what happened in the last year. «The boom that was generated around me, I believe that no one has yet assumed it, not my family, those around me, nor myself. When I won in Qatar it was like when [Fernando] Alonso arrived at Formula 1. He had to abstract himself from everything and do the only thing we know how to do. I have grown a lot this year as a person because I have been fortunate since I was little to have people around me who tell me things very clearly and tell me when I do it wrong. And then, to see myself so small here, to race with much older and more experienced people … Well, all this has hardened me », explained the new Moto3 world champion.
Acosta remembered his parents and once again made it clear that the figure of his mentor, Paco Mármol from Murcia, has been key to his success. “One of the things that has helped me to grow this year has been the people who have not let my feet get off the ground. Have someone like Paco [Mármol] has been key. He has had me like a son since he was five years old. And that he is there every day … and in quotes he is ‘bitching’ me every day training. He told me: ‘I prefer that you have a bad time here, that you get injured and suffer, but then go prepared to the races,’ “he recalled.
“Less than a year ago I was left without a team and nobody sees that. Aki Ajo and Red Bull gave me a family and supported me in everything »
“It is the year that I have won the most in sports and personally, but it is also the year in which I have done the most damage to myself and it has compensated me for everything. I have compensated for the bad drinks of the Assen and Austin races, the splitting of my lips every day training, the end of vomiting … It has compensated me for everything and it is key to have someone by your side who tells you things clearly. The good and the bad, “summarized Acosta.
Recover the ‘feeling’
About yesterday’s race in Portimao, his favorite circuit and one that he will never forget. “Since Friday I already said that the World Cup could end here, because with the change we made in Misano I felt very comfortable, I regained that ‘feeling’ in the braking that we had lost at one point in the year. If there was a circuit to do it, this was it. Leaving from behind, we have come fast. Couldn’t have imagined a better day. It has been incredible ”, commented.
«Having Paco Mármol by my side has been key. He tells me things clearly and has compensated me for the bad drinks of the season »
Yesterday in Portimao everything was hugs and congratulations. But the ‘Tiburon de Mazarrón’ wanted to remember the bad moments, those in which he was out of the championship, without a team, without sponsors and without a clear future in Moto3. “Less than a year ago I was left without a team. And that people do not see. But Aki [Ajo, el finlandés que dirige su equipo] and Red Bull didn’t give me a team, they gave me a family that has trusted me since I got on this bike. And they have trusted since I started to win, when it was not going well in the middle of the year and they have never lost their smile, “he stressed.
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