Suzuki wins and convinces But for the first time in recent history, it was not Alex Rins but Joan Mir who came to the top step of the podium on the Hamamatsu bike. Young Mir has finally achieved his first success in MotoGP by beating the very same teammate with whom he received the first Suzuki 1-2 since Randy Mamola when he was on the podium with Virginio Ferrari at Hockenheim in 1982. With today’s win with Alex Rins, who as second in the overall standings will probably have to give up in 7 days, put a hand on the world championship title. but he doesn’t give up …
“I’m very happy for the championship – he said – I’m 34 points back and anything can happen. I’ve scored a lot of points in the last few races and the injury in Jerez is a heavy burden on my championship. Now I am on a par with Quartararo who, while having some bad races, is an excellent driver and with a great mentality. Anything can happen, but right now we’re enjoying being first in the overall standings with Suzuki. “
The team and the bike, along with the talent of Rins and Mir, seem to be the main architects of a season that is way beyond expectations. The GSX-RR seems to have become the benchmark bike on the grid. How much has changed since 2017, the year you joined the team, and how much of your work has gone into making those improvements?
“The bike has changed a lot – The Spaniard replied – Some major changes have been made to the engine and chassis and Suzuki is working and working hard to make improvements and updates. The results we are seeing now are the result of work done in the past and I know that in Japan you will be very happy with it. Every bike is a compromise, we turn in incredible ways, but for example we don’t have the KTM’s brakes. “
A KTM, Pol Espargarò’s, was on the podium with you today, starting with pole position. What kind of race was that? You led the group and then you went far and I insisted, what happened?
“The truth is that I do missed a gear. Instead of switching by two, I increased by one, losing time and also the opportunity to stay at the top. I felt very good on the bike, but when Joan passed me I couldn’t stay with him because he was at a great pace. At that point, I was thinking about not letting Espargarò pass me because he came up very hard on the hard tire. “
You said about it Pol Espargarò’s hard front tire. Have you thought about using it too? Could there be a solution for next week?
“Today I knew I would use the medium because I did very well in the warm-up. For the next week we hope to be able to work on various compounds including the hard tire. There are still a few things to do on the bike, but my base is very good. Maybe I’ll fight with Me, we haven’t done it yet. “
Alex, a comment on the black flag given to Albert Arenas in the Moto3 race, Something similar happened to you in Misano in 2015 …
“I understand everyone’s reasons both that of the teams and that of Albert. He came out of the box without being able to see the TV and let the whole group pass just to make it up to him. I think if he had taken a different curve to pass Ogura he would not have gotten a black flag. Albert is a champion, today he proved it in the comeback of the other drivers. “