Sometimes it can take very little to regain your smile. Valentino Rossi’s reaction to the 16th time obtained in qualifying for the Algarve MotoGP Grand Prix is a clear example of this. A few years ago, the “Doctor” would have been extremely sorry for such a result, but today in Portimao he improved the trend of the last qualifications and above all he managed to significantly reduce the gap from the best, finding a good feeling with his Yamaha Petronas . It is therefore legitimate that he was satisfied at the end of the day.
“Today went better than yesterday. Since this morning I was able to be more competitive, but in the afternoon we improved the balance of the bike and above all the feeling with the tires. The track conditions also helped us to have more grip. In FP4 I have I tried both medium and hard and I was able to improve my time right on the last lap. Also in Q1 I managed to do a good lap, so I’ll start 16th, which is a better position than in the last few races “, Valentino said.
“I’m less than a second from pole position, nine tenths of a second, but the problem is that in today’s MotoGP with this gap you are 16th. Also in FP4 I was less than a second behind the best, but the position was more or less In any case, I’m happy with the feeling I found with the bike, even if we can still improve: in two or three points I still have a little too much understeer, but I’m not bad at the pace level either, “he added.
The hope for tomorrow is to be able to use the hard rear tire, because at the pace level it seems to be the one with which he manages to have a slightly better performance. However, the choice will depend on the weather.
“I tried both the medium and the hard and the feeling is quite similar. I think the choice is quite open, but that racing at 13 local could allow us to use the hard. I would be happy if there was the right temperature to mount it, because maybe I feel a bit better with that, especially because I manage to be a bit more constant in terms of pace “.
After today’s good performance, the goal has not changed for tomorrow and is to try to get into the top 10. Also because it would probably mean having managed to enjoy the penultimate race of his career.
“The result is very important to have fun, it is crucial. If you manage to do a good result, you have a lot more fun, because it means that you feel good on the bike, that you can push. This is the best way to have fun and I have to to say that Misano did not go badly from this point of view. Tomorrow we will try to score some points, because I think it is within our reach. It will depend a lot on what kind of race it will be, but I would like to finish in the top 10 “.
Inevitably, he was asked to comment on the fifth pole position in a row of his protégé Pecco Bagnaia and above all if he sees him ready to fight for the World Championship from the first race next season.
“This year has been scary, he has made a big improvement and he is riding better than everyone together with Quartararo. He understands Ducati, which has great potential, and he is exploiting it. He has made five poles in a row, so he is ready. to play for it next year. He just has to put on the right tires (laughs) “.
Then he joked precisely about the Ducati’s choice of tires for tomorrow: “I’m very worried about this choice, because today he tried both medium and hard and was fast with both. I hope he makes the right choice this time, because I think that he is the fastest this weekend, just like at Misano. I think he can win, but he has to make the right choice. I’ll talk to him tonight (laughs) “.
Finally, he also commented positively on the growth of his brother Luca Marini, who today hit the third consecutive Q2. According to him, it could be one of the revelations of the 2022 season.
“Luca is growing rapidly. During this season he has struggled more than he expected, but they have also chosen a wrong path with regards to the position on the bike. In the last few races he has made himself fit, in my opinion he is better on the bike. and he is showing his speed. He is very good on the flying lap and unfortunately today he crashed in Q2, but in FP4 he was third, so he is going very fast. He has to improve in the race, above all he has to try to be more aggressive at the start and in the first laps, but in my opinion next year we will be able to see a different Luca, who will be able to fight for the important positions “.
#Rossi #Bagnaia #ready #fight #title