A special vintage that may not have ended in the best way. Suzuki eventually brought one of its drivers back to world championship victory 20 years after the last time but couldn’t win the constructors’ championship that saw Ducati triumph. It has to be said that the manufacturer of Borgo Panigale has 6 bikes against only 2 Suzukis, but in any case a good result in Portimao would have allowed Hamamatsu to continue celebrating. Today, Mir-Rins’ dream couple has likely disappointed expectations by failing to take the final step of an almost triumphant season.
Joan Mir, who started from 20th place on the grid, after yesterday’s electronic problems had to retire for this reason. What happened?
“I would say it wasn’t my happiest day – I admitted – I ran very well on the first few laps, maybe thanks to the adrenaline I had in my body, but the truth is, I got through contact with Pecco had lost all the electronics or with Zarco I have to apologize to Bagnaia for being too aggressive towards him. Sometimes I criticize this type of maneuver and today I did something similar, I’m sorry. I had no more traction control and it was getting dangerous, and it would have gotten worse as the tire wear progressed so I pulled back. It is a shame to have ended such a bad year “.
A race that ended in a zero, the third of Mir’s season. Where could the world champion have finished the race without this problem?
“I really do not know it – he told us – I got off to a good start, but there was this problem. I really don’t know why it’s shutting down, but it definitely has something to do with contact with Zarco or Bagnaia and different from yesterday. “
So at Suzuki they are preparing a winter of serenity and working knowing that they have a bike and rider who can still take part in the battle in 2021, But they also know they need to improve the package for the coming season.
Rins: “I have to check my shoulder and find out what to do.”
“Today the race was very difficult – said Alex Rins – I couldn’t fight for the constructors’ championship or second place in the world championship Those were my goals for the day. It’s a real shame but we still have to be happy with this 2020. I got off to a good start today and then I didn’t feel good on the bike. I think I made a mistake choosing the tire. I will work very hard in winter – Rins continued – I will try to keep the same pace as last winter, since I arrived in Jerez with great speed The crash and the injury made everything go wrong. But now it will take me a couple of weeks to try not to do anything. I will stay in Andorra with my girlfriend and the dogs, but me firstI have to go to Barcelona to do a few shoulder checkups and see what to do. “
Is it possible to have an operation?
“I don’t know. I haven’t done any x-rays or various checks for three months, I haven’t had time, but definitely The shoulder is fine enough, it’s the arm that I feel a little tired. Right now I don’t have the same muscle between right and left, I need to train when I don’t have surgery, but we’ll see. “