The Austrian Grand Prix was kind of crazy. It rained a little on the grid, but the race started dry until it poured down with six laps to go, dividing riders into two categories: those who couldn’t afford to take risks as they were fighting for the championship , and those who had nothing to lose from a possible slip that can always happen when driving on slicks on wet asphalt.
And then there was also a representative of a very special category on the track: Valentino Rossi. A driver who, although he had nothing to prove, preferred to stay inside with the “crazy” until he read “P3” from the pit wall.
“To be on the podium would have been great” Valentino Rossi teased, after the Grand Prix in eighth place. He continued, “I was doing well when I saw P3 on the board with two laps to go. So I got scared in the first corner ahead, stiffened and walked far. Then those with the rain tires came and passed us. It was a very turbulent end. “
And exciting.
“Exactly. It was very exciting, an amazing ride. The change between slicks and rain tires was in the last three corners. At this point, I decided not to stop because there were five laps left. And with up to three laps to go, I would be on the podium as well, in third place. Anyway, a last place is good for me and for the team that is going through a difficult time. “
Why did you choose the slicks despite the rain? Is not it dangerous?
“We don’t usually continue with slicks, but the rain does started progressively and at the beginning there were only problems in corners three and six, the rest was dry and we were able to keep the tires and brakes warm. But in the last one and the penultimate one it was very easy to make mistakes. However, not stopping was the right decision. “
Why is that?
“In these situations it is difficult to have a perfect rule. Such a situation would be perfect: if everyone has slicks and it starts to rain, the race will stop and the ranking will be awarded on the first lap. That is the safest thing. But now the rule is different. In this situation, I prefer to keep the slicks rather than going back or making another start. It would be more dangerous. But I didn’t challenge myself. It’s not that I decided to take risks. When on a bike just try to do what you think is best for the result. It’s always an instinctive decision, but with six rounds you lose a minute and it didn’t pour. “
Then you fought it out with Luca, your brother.
“It was a great moment with Luca. I knew we’d be competing here at the Red Bull Ring because we had the same pace, and I’ve done a lot with Lecuona too. To be honest, we had a great time. The problem is, I’m as old as the two of them together! Anyway, we had fun and in the end Luca beat me. He slowed me down. We will meet again at Silverstone. “
What else can you say about your decision to stay outside?
“When they saw I wasn’t coming back, those who followed me imitated me. You must thank me! ”He laughed.
At the end there was also the award of the track and the KTM.
“It was exciting. The helicopter, the banner with KTM’s thank you … Today was a good day. It’s the first time we’ve had an audience. A normal situation for many fans with yellow jerseys and caps. It was me and him too Team helped because the team got some bad news. And the first half of the season was bad, in Barcelona, in Portugal, in Assen, with falls. I am not. Being beaten is okay, but I can’t call myself Knocked out thirteenth! I felt better on the bike here. I definitely won’t win the World Championship, but finishing in the top ten in the last few races would be a little different. We have to make it to the end … some top ten and get a few points. Round the podiums to two hundred? Look, I haven’t given up yet. I train and try to stay focused. When I get on my bike, I don’t feel like I’m at the end of the season decided ha be to give up, but that I still have years to go. I’ll try to the end. “
Is there any news from your VR46 team in MotoGP?
“I don’t know my team’s situation very well. We’ll know more next week. The team is already organized, but you have to speak to someone else for the details. “