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Franco Morbidelli is strong and now he does it consistently and on all tracks – this can be said with reasonable certainty. If he lags behind in the classification, it is because of others: the engine failure in Jerez; zero in Austria caused by Zarco; ninth place in Misano2 after a detour in the first lap caused by the fall of Aleix Espargaró. In short, Morbido is more than competitive and it even showed in Barcelona.
“It was a good Friday for us, we started very well in FP1 and in FP2 we worked to improve the set-up. In the afternoon, a trivial crash did not allow me to do more laps on the medium tire, but it was still possible to go back to the garage and do the “time trial”. I am happy with this day “.
Did you fall due to the lack of grip on the asphalt and the low temperature?
“I braked 25 meters later and with some curves to the left it was not a good idea to do it at that point: that was the reason for my crash.”
The long straight doesn’t seem to penalize you as much
It seems that the design of the track, and in particular of the last corner, does not penalize the maximum speed too much: it is certainly an important aspect ”.
Do you feel as strong as in Brno? There was also little grip …
“I don’t know if I am as competitive as in Brno, but today I feel strong, that is clear. It is too early to say that I am as fast as there: I am sure we started well and I feel competitive ”.
If you ran tomorrow, would you be the driver to beat?
“In FP1, Quartararo was very fast, with a similar pace to mine. I don’t think I am the rider to beat right now, but we are certainly competitive ”.
During testing, do you use a lot of gasoline in the tank?
“Generally we work with as much gasoline as possible, but it also depends on the condition of the tires and the tires you use. Anyway, yes, we always try to have a lot of liters in the tank to replicate the conditions in the race ”.
Under these conditions, are we looking at the 2019 data?
“Is not very different”
Is it true that overtaking with Yamaha is very difficult?
“Yes, it is difficult to overtake with our bike, because we do not have the power that our rivals have. If you have a lot of power you can decide to overtake in different ways, while we can only force the braking or make a “crazy” movement: that’s why it is so difficult to overtake with the Yamaha. It can be done, of course, but it is not so immediate ”.
In FP1 they pointed out that Rossi and Quartararo were following you, but you kept shooting …
“Yes, I saw it, but, in fact, it was only FP1: I didn’t worry too much, I preferred to continue doing my job, than to brake so that they would not follow me.”
What are your strengths in the garage and on the track?
“I work very well with Ramon Forcada (the technical chief, NDA), we get to know each other better and immediately understand what it takes to improve the bike. On the track I manage to put together the package I have at my disposal well, I can be fast in general, taking advantage of the strength of the bike, which is the speed in the corners ”.
Only the announcement is missing, but at this point it is certain that next year you will be Valentino Rossi’s companion: what do you think of this?
“It is something great, that I will remember all my life! Probably just me, I don’t think people remember Valentino Rossi’s partner… ”.
Valentino said that the relationship with you is different from that of all the other pilots at the Academy.
“I smiled when Valentino said this: it’s the same feeling I have. We are very close friends and we also drive a lot the same. So, during the weekend there is a healthy “sclero” among us, because if I am in front or he is the one, each one does his best to defeat the other. I really like the competitiveness between him and me: it is also the same on the ranch, when we are close there is a different level of competitiveness than there is with others.
It’s great to have this level of trust with Vale and to be able to show him all your feelings, even that you are frustrated when the other one beats you in the race. I’m angry and I’m trying to improve to be in front of him too. And it does the same. It’s not that this rivalry isn’t with Pecco, but he and I ride the same bike, we’ve known each other for so long, he’s the one who taught me the things I know and wants to maintain the leadership, while I come from below and want to. To show him that what I’ve learned from him works and I can cope with it – it’s a beautiful thing. There are no filters between Valentino and me, it makes me feel even more attached to him, he’s beautiful. The battles that take you the longest are with the worst enemies or with the best enemies. Halfway there you don’t feel them so much ”.
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