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Despite everything, Valentino Rossi at age 42 (and 26 in the world championship) still manages to get emotional. It happened today, in Qatar, when the numbers 1’53 ”993 appeared on the dashboard of his Yamaha, his best time that earned him 8th place in the classification. “I’ve never run so hard here in Losail and it’s not obvious to do so. – says the Doctor – My first time in 1’53 ”was a satisfaction, it is true that the tires and the bikes have improved, but it is not obvious that this is the case. It means that I’m there, that I drive well”.
A nice change after your disappointment after the first test.
“Today i had good feelings we managed to improve my performance by working hard and finding new solutions. They were all very fast, but I managed to improve my position and my pace, it was a positive day “.
What is the reason for this step forward?
“In the tuning, first of all, we found a solution that gives me more confidence at the front end, I can enter the corners with more force. Then to the innovations that Yamaha brings, I talk about the 2021 chassis. With more kilometers I am able to exploit its potential more and it is good news, last year it was difficult for me to turn the bike while now I can ride better.”.
Was such a day needed?
“Last year I had made some mistakes, in Barcelona and in the second Misano race, then I had taken Covid and when I came back I had worked very hard, I was far from the best. This test is important because I had a better performance again, we were able to fix the bike”.
Are you more optimistic about the future?
“I think I am preparing better for this season and I hope we have a more normal championship. I would like to be able to race the European GP at the right time, not like last year when we raced in Jerez in 50th place and at Le Mans in October. I also hope that only in Qatar there will be two races on the same track”.
So even at 42 you can be quick?
“I’ve seen that with age the only problem is having to train a lot more, but if you do, you can do a 45-minute race with good performances. In normal life, however, I find it more difficult to climb stairs after a workout (laughs), the biggest difference is the recovery time. “.
Regarding the working method of the box: has it changed at Petronas?
“No, I get along with David (Muñoz, his technical chief ed), I am more focused on driving, I return my feelings to him and then I leave it to him. I like the atmosphere of the team, but the real change from the first test was in the balance of the bike. Being able to improve, then, always gives motivation.”.
You also tried a new fender today.
“From what I understand it should improve both the aerodynamics and the cooling, but I don’t like it because the bike becomes more difficult to handle. Improving top speed is important, I pushed hard with Yamaha to work on this point, even if engine development is frozen. They did a good job, we still get 10 km / h from the Ducatis but the difference is less than last year”.
Despite everything, today there were 3 Yamahas at the top of the rankings.
“It is a very good sign, we are all fit but we will have to waitThey are the race to understand how it will go when we are in a group. I saw Viñales very strong, as well as Quartararo, then there are Morbidelli, the two factory Ducatis and the Suzukis. TOWe have a very similar rhythm and tomorrow we can still work, I am not far from being the best“.
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