[taken from 2004 issue (n1463) of Solo Moto; autotranslated from spanish; translations for captions under photos in alt text; the rest of the issue in the tag here]
scanned by @melatifosa <3333
‘Chess game’
Sete Gibernau and Valentino Rossi are left alone. After only five Grands Prix, it seems the title will be a two-horse race. Who will be the new MotoGP king when the season ends?
It seems risky to predict that after only five races, with 11 still to go, the MotoGP title will be a two-horse race between Sete Gibernau and Valentino Rossi. Especially considering that the third-placed rider in the standings, Max Biaggi, is only 26 points behind the leader and 21 behind second.
Eleven Grands Prix mean that 275 points are still up for grabs. However, there is a general consensus that, barring unforeseen events, which are common in racing, the championship is essentially down to these two. The reason lies in the difference in skill level they have shown over the rest of the field in the races held so far, especially in the last two. Driven by their fierce rivalry, Gibernau and Rossi are on another level. They are staging races of such intensity that the competition has reached fever pitch, a level unseen for decades.
Their determination is rendering theories, numbers, and statistics meaningless. Predicting where this battle of titans will lead is, based on what we've seen so far, a waste of time. Trying to foresee the future based on parameters like track type, past performances, statistics, or the like is a futile exercise. In their frenzy, Rossi and Gibernau, Gibernau and Rossi, are determined to defy logic.
Sete's Numbers
But regardless of Sete and Valentino's efforts, there are numbers that reflect undeniable realities. In the Italian's case, his resume of achievements and records is impressive and covers practically every area. Compared to the other great champions in history, Rossi has either shattered previous records or is on his way to doing so. His youth puts them all within his reach.
While Valentino's numbers may no longer be particularly striking, a review of Sete Gibernau's statistics is certainly surprising. Without so much fanfare, the Spaniard has been growing not only surprisingly, but steadily and consistently.
Has anyone other than stats fanatics noticed that since joining the Gresini team in 2003, Gibernau has finished on the podium 15 times? What's more, in the last 21 races, he only finished below fourth place twice: in Jerez last year when he crashed due to over-eagerness, and in Mugello last season, his worst race, when he finished 7th.
These numbers could be supplemented with many others, but what matters is that they reflect that Sete's emergence on the scene is not a fluke, but the result of consistent hard work. He has reached where he is and has become the first MotoGP leader not named Valentino Rossi.
Since the category's inception, no other rider besides the Italian had topped the standings. Sete has ended that dominance. And he hasn't done so sporadically. We're already at the fifth Grand Prix and he's still there, at the top.
In favor of Sete Gibernau
-Mental strength and determination
-Work ethic
-Physical condition
-Only Honda rider who can challenge Rossi
-Unbeatable in difficult conditions
-Fast in practice
In favor of Valentino Rossi
-Experience fighting for the title
-His determination to beat Honda
-His ability to learn from mistakes
-The team's experience
-Unwavering support from Yamaha
-Clear Yamaha number one rider
Fury
Just three races ago, many of us thought Rossi was going through a rough patch. After failing at the Jerez and Le Mans circuits (failing means finishing fourth), many thought he was in the midst of a crisis. Some said he emptied himself at Welkom to win his first Grand Prix with the Yamaha. That effort had been so titanic that it had left him with a depleted battery.
The disappointments at two circuits theoretically suited to him, Jerez and France, seemed to confirm this theory. Sete Gibernau's victories at these tracks with his Honda fueled the rumors of a slump. Especially considering that the championship was heading to the tracks theoretically least suited to his M1.
What happened in Italy and Barcelona is already known to everyone. An unleashed Rossi shattered all predictions. With an unforgettable performance, born from his unstoppable will to prove he is still number one, he compensated for his bike's shortcomings and deficiencies with a superb display of talent. On the circuits, Honda won a Yamaha in the same way that Rossi had won Gibernau.
Clash of titans
Predicting what will happen in the upcoming races is complicated. On one hand, Gibernau and Rossi are locked in such a battle that it's a true clash of wills. On the other, a parallel war is brewing between Honda and Yamaha, which could also have a decisive influence on the duel.
Focusing on the riders, after Valentino's last two demonstrations, only a fool would dare bet against him. Among other reasons, because he has shown those who thought he was down and out that the more precarious his situation, the more devastating his reaction has been.
Experience
In addition to his tremendous riding talent, his own and his team's experience in similar situations, and the full support of Yamaha, Rossi has the added advantage this season of the crusade that drives him. His will to defeat Honda first and foremost, and also those who accused him at the time of winning solely because he had the best bike, is so great that it can be called an obsession. An obsession that is leading him to ride like never before, constantly flirting with the limit.
Has anyone ever seen Rossi get off his bike drenched in sweat like this before? He's giving it his all to win his bet, drawing on his experience. Because despite being only 25 years old, Rossi has accumulated countless hours of experience. Especially him, who has shown that he rarely makes the same mistake twice. Take, for example, his race strategy at Mugello and Montmeló.
Did you notice that in both Italy and Barcelona, Rossi didn't play his last card on the final lap? Did you notice that he attacked with two laps to go?Coincidence? Opportunity?... No. After losing two last-lap duels to Sete last year—Sachsenring record—Valentino knows, because he never forgets anything in racing, that Sete is dangerous in a last-lap battle. That's why he attacked earlier.
In Barcelona, Valentino's MotoGP bike crossed the finish line with almost a half-second advantage on the penultimate lap. Coincidence?... No, not at all.
‘Sete or Rossi, who will be world champion?’
The ‘wise men’ of the press weight in
🇩🇪Friedemann Kirn
Motorrad, Germany
Champion: Rossi
Valentino is the most brilliant rider of our time; I think there's no question about that. He's at a level of riding skill, technical sensitivity, and setup ability that no one can match. Valentino controls everything involved in determining the winner of a race. He rarely makes mistakes, and when he really wants to win, he's unstoppable. He's simply an extraordinary rider. What impresses me about Sete is his ability to evolve when we all thought he had already given his all. I see him as an intelligent rider because, while he certainly doesn't have Valentino's natural talent, he has the ability to reach the same level through intelligence and hard work. As a German myself, I compare him to Toni Mang, who was a late-blooming champion who won a world title at 38. Like Sete, he didn't have innate talent either. For me, this means there are two ways to reach the top: with extraordinary talent or with desire and intelligence.
Furthermore, Sete impresses me with his courage. He's a very, very brave rider, in my opinion the bravest of them all. He's proven it every time difficult situations have arisen. Finally, he's currently Honda's best rider. He and his team have learned to make a bike work in a situation where others, including Biaggi, have struggled. That allows him to be Honda's clear number one.
🇪🇸José María Mela
AS, Spain
Champion: Sete
This season's MotoGP world champion will be Sete Gibernau. Why? Because he rides a Honda, because he's hungry for victory, and because he's shown spectacular progress, capable of astonishing even Agostini, who said he'd never seen a 30-year-old rider evolve the way he had. He has the experience of having struggled during his time at Suzuki. Now he's been given a second chance and he's not about to let it slip away. You can see he's a rider on the rise. Valentino Rossi is, for me, the most important rider in history; he's shown that in this sport, the man is more important than the machine. But even so, I don't think he'll be champion this year, not because he can't be, but because there's a slight handicap: the bike. And Sete will take advantage of that.
🇨🇭Günther Wiesinger
Motor Sport Ak.
Switzerland/Germany
Champion: Rossi
I would say that at the moment Rossi seems to be in a better position to win the title. He has experience in situations like the one he's in now, because he's fought for the championship in four different engine sizes; he's used to the pressure. Furthermore, he's been able to win with a bike that isn't the best on a couple of circuits that were theoretically the worst for him and his machine. Now we have tracks that, on paper, favor him, since right now the Yamaha seems to be a better package than Honda, because in recent years Honda has focused almost exclusively on the engine. Now they have a bike that consumes more tire than the Yamaha, and this has caused them, for example, to lose the Barcelona race. As for Gibernau, the situation of fighting for the title is new, and he also has a second enemy besides Rossi: his own teammates. I can't imagine Biaggi or Barros giving him a victory or doing teamwork; At most, Edwards will help him. In contrast, at Yamaha, if the time comes, everyone will help Rossi. On the other hand, I don't know if Honda will give him the best equipment or if Honda will be able to react as quickly as the situation demands. Honda is not a brand that has ever been known for its rapid response time. It's likely they won't bring anything significantly better until the race in Brno.
🇦🇺Colin Young
Freelance, Australia
Champion: Rossi
After the last week, I'd say Rossi is the favorite. In one week, he's lost 10 out of 15 points, and on Honda circuits. Anyway, the key will be whether Sete will be able to handle the pressure of competing for the championship against Valentino Rossi throughout the season; it's not easy. Sete is a tireless worker, intelligent on the track, and physically he's probably the fittest rider in the entire paddock. I also like the progress he's made every time he's had the opportunity. Remember when he took Takuma Aoki's V2? He took a step forward as a rider; when he had the chance to ride Doohan's bike, he took another step; when he inherited Kato's bike, he started winning races... Do you see what I mean? On the other hand, Honda could be Gibernau's greatest strength or his Achilles' heel.
Its strength lies in the fact that it remains the best bike, the best package; its weakness is that it remains to be seen whether Sete will be able to rely on Honda in the upcoming battles or if he will have to take more risks to hold off Valentino. As for Rossi, his great secret, his driving force, is his supreme confidence in his own talent. He always knows how far he can push his bike without exceeding the limit. This, along with his remarkable ability to read races, has led him to win the last two Grands Prix without having the best bike. After four or five laps, he already has a clear strategy for the end of the race; mentally, he is incredibly strong. He often acts like a clown, but his mind works like a computer. Another of his strengths is the trust he has in Jerry Burgess and his team. Finally, Rossi is racing this year with no more pressure than what he puts on himself. By switching to Yamaha, he knows that if he doesn't win the championship, no one will hold anything against him; the blame will always fall on Yamaha, not on him.
🇬🇧Matthew Birt
MCN, UK
Champion: Rossi
Rossi will win the championship. He knows what it's like to fight for the title all season long. He's done it five different years, and that's definitely an advantage. This experience has allowed him, for example, to close the gap on Sete by ten points in a week. For Gibernau, things probably would have been easier if Rossi had been leading the championship instead of him. After France, he might have gotten nervous, but his experience in similar situations led him to simply focus on riding to the best of his ability without thinking about anything else. As for Sete, he's riding relaxed, doing what he knows best. He's in a good team that knows what its rider needs. I'm also struck by the fact that he's not being intimidated by Rossi. That might not have been the case in the past, but now his self-confidence has increased significantly. He's mentally strong; he's changed. If after Spain and France, Sete was on a roll and Rossi was disappointed after failing at two circuits where he thought he would win, after Mugello and Montmeló, the situation has completely changed.
🇮🇹Enrico Borghi
Motosprint; Italy
Champion: Rossi
For me, Valentino Rossi will be champion, of course. There's no one who rides a bike like him. For me, his superiority is based on three main points. The first is his mental strength. Mentally, he is by far the strongest, without a doubt. Secondly, I would highlight his talent. He is the most talented rider I have ever seen. That talent gives him an enormous capacity to ride the bike beyond its natural limits.
Finally, Valentino has an obsessive determination. Right now, he feels like he's on a mission, a mission to prove to Honda and those who said he was world champion because he had the best bike that he won the title, not the bike. And this is a huge motivation for him. What I would highlight about Sete is his determination, his inner strength. He's eager to rise to the top. After France, I wrote a sentence that said: "Sete is a nobody who wants to become somebody." I don't mean to belittle him, but to explain how determined he is to carve out a place for himself in history. In difficult conditions, that is, in the rain and on a very tricky track, he's by far the best. His control over the bike is total, and that, in my opinion, is what has allowed him to make the qualitative leap he has. Nowadays, anyone who can't make the bike slide has no chance in MotoGP, and Sete has mastered this technique.
🇪🇸Manuel Pecino
Solo Moto, Spain
Champion: Rossi
After finishing fourth in Spain and France, we all thought Rossi was in a very difficult situation. After three favorable circuits, the ones that, on paper, seemed to be against him were approaching. Fifteen points behind the leader, and with Mugello and Montmeló ahead, things looked bleak. But it was anything but bleak; in both Italy and Barcelona, Rossi gave us a true demonstration of just how surprising he is, of what he's capable of when he feels cornered.
I think it was extraordinary to see how, when he was in a seemingly hopeless situation, he surpassed himself. I rewatched the Montmeló race, and seeing how Valentino rode immediately brought to mind Wayne Gardner in that Phillip Island race he won with his fairing broken, crawling on the ground. Like that crazy Gardner back then, Rossi unleashed an instinct at Montmeló that goes beyond reason. It was like watching an animal defending itself on its back, knowing its life depended on what was at stake. After what we've seen, it's hard to imagine anyone taking away from Rossi something he's convinced belongs to him.
Sete's chances of winning the championship depend on maintaining constant pressure on Rossi. As he's shown, when cornered, Valentino is capable of anything, even the unbelievable. But it also seems obvious that this state of animal instinct can't be sustained throughout the eleven remaining Grands Prix; it's impossible. If Sete doesn't ease up, he might end up tiring out his prey; if, on the other hand, he lifts his foot off the accelerator, the hunter will become the hunted, for sure.
🇫🇷Michel Turco
Moto Revue, France
Champion: Rossi
Rossi will win the championship simply because he's the best rider and because he knows perfectly well that this season will be much more difficult than next year because Honda's reaction next year will be terrible. What's driving Valentino to ride at the level he is right now is the challenge he's facing. He wants to win so badly that he doesn't hesitate to push beyond the limit whenever necessary. But at the same time, you can see he's enjoying this situation. For him, races like Mugello or Catalunya are visceral, like a drug.
As for Sete, I get the feeling that after Barcelona he started complaining about the bike, and that's a sign he's faltering. Yes, mentally he's very strong, but Valentino has shown he's stronger than him. On the other hand, I have my doubts that Honda really wants to win with him. If Hayden, for example, turns things around, I think they'd rather win races with Hayden than play the Sete card. I say this because of the rivalry between Repsol and Telefónica and all that.
COLIN EDWARDS: "HRC has to give Sete Gibernau the responsibility"
Colin Edwards asserts that the only way to prevent Valentino Rossi from inflicting an embarrassing defeat on Honda at the end of the season is to make Sete their number one rider.
After seeing his teammate lose five points for the second time in a week following a very close race with Rossi, Edwards believes HRC has to react and give Gibernau the opportunity to set the development direction for the RCV before the Italian rider ends up dominating his former brand.
As is well known, HRC's policy has always been to prioritize its factory riders, currently Barros and Hayden. Only after having ridden the bikes of their own riders can the satellite team riders inherit the upgrades, and not even then in every case. Before the season began, Barros was chosen to shoulder the burden of developing Honda's MotoGP bike. But the official HRC team is having a very difficult season. The rider who was supposed to be the benchmark is now 58 points behind Gibernau; his teammate, the young Nicky Hayden, is having even more problems.
Edwards says it was about time Honda reacted and gave his teammate the number one status. "Now that they don't have Valentino, they have to choose. Sete is leading the championship, that's clear. In my opinion, if he's willing to shoulder the burden of leading the way, they have to give him the tools to do it. Someone needs to take on this responsibility because the bike simply isn't performing well."
ASPAR'S VIEW
Sete is doing exactly what he should, and in these last two races he has known how to be patient. Honda must help him fight against Valentino... and the latter is not going to be able to keep up this pace. Not even he can always ride at 110%.
I THINK THE OUTCOME OF THE LAST TWO GPs IS GOOD FOR SETE
Rossi can't go on like this
Hi everyone. What a couple of GPs, huh? I imagine you enjoyed them. We've been incredibly lucky because we've been able to see two GPs in one week that I call "for the ages." For me, the overall result of the two races has been very good for us. No, you didn't misread, I said the overall result has been positive. I know many people might be surprised by what I just said, but it's honestly what I think. I'll explain why.
To begin with, I remind you that Sete continues to lead the World Championship after two epic races. In Mugello, the GP was spectacular and had the added excitement of the two motos; in Barcelona, it was an incredible head-to-head battle between Sete and Valentino. It's very clear that after these two GPs... The situation has been reduced to two pairings: the Honda/Yamaha battle, or if you prefer, Yamaha/Honda, and, on the other hand, Sete/Valentino. At the beginning of the season, there were doubts about which riders would be there, who would enter the fight for the championship. After five Grands Prix, the matter has been clarified.
Personally, I thought Biaggi would be the third man, but regardless of the problems he had with a defective tire in Barcelona, Max hasn't lived up to expectations. In Mugello, for example, a circuit that perfectly suited his fluid riding style, he was nowhere to be seen. When he should have stepped up, said "here I am," he lacked the hunger to win, the aggression.
But going back to Sete and Valentino, it's more than clear that Honda will have to bet on Sete to stop Rossi. Well, at least I'm absolutely certain of it. Both are at an incredibly high level, but I also have to say that it's very difficult to maintain the level they both showed at Mugello and Montmeló. It was spectacular. They both rode at the limit. Yes, Sete lost both battles against Rossi, but I'll tell you that Sete acted intelligently. He could have lost his temper, but he managed to keep it cool against a Valentino who was absolutely ready to do anything.
Rossi is in a phase where he's obsessed with the challenge ahead. Sete shouldn't get caught up in that; he has to wait for his opportunity.
Valentino is riding at absolutely full throttle, while I think Sete still has something left; not much, but something. I repeat, Sete has to stay where he is and wait for his opportunity, which it will surely come. A championship is won by taking risks when necessary, but also by knowing how to seize your opportunities. Sete knew how to take advantage of this opportunity in Jerez in the rain and in France when he saw Rossi falter. That's how he needs to approach things. Of course, he also has to push Rossi, as he has done in these last two Grands Prix, but always without losing sight of what matters most: the championship. Valentino has been riding at 110% for three races now—South Africa, Mugello, and Montmeló—he can't keep this up for much longer.
Regarding his status as Honda's number one rider, that's another thing Sete shouldn't obsess over. In fact, I don't see any major differences between his bike and the HRC ones. Sete needs to stay calm and trust in what he has. Undoubtedly, both Yamaha and Honda will be working, and new things will arrive. What's needed is for those new things to reach Sete.
It doesn't matter if he gets them first or at the same time as the factory team; the important thing is that he receives them soon. Before I go, I want to highlight the presence of two other Yamahas among the top four in Barcelona. Melandri's podium finish and Checa's fourth place show that Yamahas are currently ahead of Hondas.
They've improved considerably, but this has also coincided with Honda losing its way. You can all see that Honda doesn't quite know which direction to take right now. There's no leader, and that could cost them dearly. For a factory, it's essential to have a rider in its ranks who can guide them. It's not just about being a winner, but someone who can dictate the bike's development. Look, there are plenty of fast and brave riders, but a complete rider is one who combines that with technical skill; and those are very rare.
ANOTHER VIEW
Assen, the Cathedral
This weekend we have the continuation of Montmeló at Assen. The Assen circuit is one I know very well, because it's where I've won the most Grands Prix. You could say it's my favorite circuit.
Its main characteristic is that it's a very technical track where, to go fast, it's essential not to make mistakes. The asphalt is excellent; in the rain, it has incredible grip, the best in the World Championship, and there are banked turns in every corner.
Its drawback is that it doesn't have hard shoulders, so going off the track almost certainly means a crash. The grass at Assen is always damp, so driving on it is very, very dangerous. As I said, it's a very technical circuit with no heavy braking zones, and the key is to maintain good cornering speed and accelerate early. It has hardly any straights, but it's one of the fastest circuits in the championship, if not the fastest.
Another important detail is that to be effective, you have to leave your aggression at home. At other circuits in the World Championship, aggression is a plus, but at Assen, the only thing you achieve with aggressive riding is going even slower. You have to ride smoothly, always thinking about cornering speed.
Theoretically, it's an ideal circuit for Max Biaggi, but Mugello should have been too, and look what happened there.
As for the two who are currently dominating MotoGP, I think they'll both be at the front, for sure. The order?... Who knows. What could happen at Assen is that a third contender could emerge. If it weren't for the season he's had, I'd bet on Alex Barros, but the truth is, he's got me pretty puzzled so far. In Barcelona, I was convinced he'd be much higher up; however, he never really had a chance. But let's give him the benefit of the doubt, because Barros has always performed well in the Netherlands, ever since his days as a factory Suzuki rider. And if it rains, which is always likely at Assen, Alex also has the ability to go fast, as he has demonstrated very often.
[autotranslated from spanish; taken from Solo Moto issue n1463; thank you @melatifosa for the scans and everything else<3]
He could have been spitting venom. He might well have been swearing like a sailor. Nobody would have even questioned his right to invoke every single saint in the Judeo-Christian calendar. But Sete Gibernau said absolutely nothing.
After the insult at Montmeló—where Valentino Rossi stole victory right out of his pocket in front of over a hundred thousand witnesses ready to testify for Sete, and spill blood for him if necessary—everyone expected the Telefónica MoviStar Honda rider to break his stubborn silence regarding HRC's alleged sidelining of its satellite teams. Like any typical Max Biaggi outburst, to put it plainly. But no.
Moments after "The Doctor" secured his third victory of the season and his second in a row (his sixth at the Circuit de Catalunya in eight appearances), Sete climbed off his RC211V looking incredibly serious, barely hearing the cheers of the crowd chanting his name. With his face flushed from the exertion of 25 laps under a scorching sun, "Little" simply pulled out his earplugs and ripped off his nasal strip. He put on the Oakleys brought by his friend Edu, flipped his cap backward, and walked up to the podium—his podium—with very little enthusiasm.But this time, there were no hugs, no dedication to his grandfather Don Paco, no looking up at the sky, nor any of the usual theatrical displays the Barcelona rider performs whenever he climbs the steps to the winner's circle. A ritual that, by the way, he is the only rider in the entire MotoGP lineup to repeat in all five races held so far this season. Looking at him, you would never guess Gibernau had just secured the 21st podium of his racing career. Had he really just finished... second?
Days after the race, far from launching into a bitter rant against Honda, Sete told us he had simply extended his stay at Montmeló by an extra day to keep working with the team, as most outfits do this season. After that: two days off outside of Spain, two more days modeling in Italy for the new Spidi catalog, and right back to the grind upon his return. This time it was supermoto, "because we have to keep working hard, as we are still not where we need to be."But you are the World Championship leader!”Drifting on the multi-track at Sils, or backing the bike into corners at the limit on any of the tracks his cousin Miki Arpa has at the family estate in Vulpellac (Gironna), Sete is in the natural habitat of that breed of boys raised under the shadow of the San Antonio de Cuní estate tower. Here, completely in his element, Sete finds the clarity needed to analyze what happened at his home race and, above all, what might happen in the second third of the season, which kicks off this weekend in Assen.
We have never seen such a different look on your face as the one you had on Sunday when getting off the bike at Montmeló...
It makes sense. That race was also different. From the start of the weekend, you could see what was going to happen to us, and it did. The Honda riders had issues from day one; I said it clearly, but it felt like we were swimming upstream. I was angry, not so much about losing, but because I couldn't give back to the fans the incredible support they gave me throughout the entire Grand Prix.
How did it feel to have Rossi beat you at home?
The same tires the Yamaha riders were using didn't suit us Honda riders, which is why I had far more problems than Rossi, and he couldn't win. But I'm fighting against myself; I can't spend my whole life comparing myself to Valentino.
If I analyze the equipment and the circumstances I had in Barcelona on their own, without comparing them to anyone else's, I have to give my race a well-deserved top mark. Doing better in those conditions is impossible. The fact that I finished just one-tenth of a second behind Rossi proves it! The third-place finisher—also on a Yamaha—finished thirteen seconds behind the winner, and the second Honda—Edwards's, who finished fifth—crossed the finish line twenty-one seconds back! Instead of lamenting, we should analyze why they were so tenths of a second ahead of us.
Before the Mugello race, the Italian press headlines read, "The Spaniard must be stopped at all costs." Do you think that for Valentino, the victories in Italy and Catalunya were more than just two notches on the barrel of his revolver?
He won in Mugello, but I could have won. What happened happened with the race being split in two, but I didn't criticize anyone or complain about anything. Few people acknowledged that. Now, what we have to do is analyze race by race, practice by practice, and keep moving forward, towards the goal we've set. The key point of all this is that I'm leading the World Championship with a standard bike. Logic tells us that Vale, Checa, Barros, or Nicky should be ahead of me, since they're the ones with real bikes.
When Rossi wants something new for his bike, they build it for him at the factory. That, precisely, is what it's all about when you have a factory bike. And when you're on a satellite team, like me, well, you have what you have... and you race!
Are you expecting any changes to the bike for Assen?
No. I've already spoken with Honda and told them what needed to be said, but I'm continuing with the same bike I had at Welkom, regardless of what some people say. To be honest, I don't even know if there are actually other things to try on my bike, because I haven't the faintest idea of the differences between mine and the ones Alex and Nicky are using.
Does leading the Honda project put more pressure on you?
Look, Josep Lluís, I'm playing my cards with Honda as best I can. I don't feel any more pressure than the pressure of leading the World Championship. I think we're handling the relationship with Honda very well. In every race, we've started from the front row of the grid, we've always made the podium, and we're leading the championship. The overall assessment couldn't be more positive. But that doesn't mean we can't even touch the bike; we have to limit ourselves to making the best settings... and that's it. Perhaps the problem is that we've created false expectations, because we mustn't forget that no one from Honda has ever said they would help whoever was ahead. Honda has never committed to that, and perhaps some are accusing them of not fulfilling something that was never agreed upon.
So, what's the problem?
The lack of leadership. At Yamaha, it's clear that Valentino is the leader. He sets the pace, and then the other factory riders contribute their expertise: Checa, the experience; Melandri, the youth... At Honda, Barros should have been the natural leader. But we all know that he started the season very hampered physically as a result of his injuries from last year. This has forced us to play catch-up with someone who's a bit behind, and we're paying the price.
Now you must really understand attitudes of constant complaining and demands, like Biaggi's, or Rossi leaving Honda because 'they treated him like an employee'...
I haven't gone into that kind of analysis. It would drain the positive energy I need to manage the strength and leadership I have now. At the end of the year, there will be time to sit down with Honda and analyze what happened. We're blue now, and we must remain so until the end of the year. Then we'll see if we'll stay blue or be another color.
That prudence must be called maturity, I suppose.
Come on, man, I'm not 20 anymore! I'm in a privileged position now, although it's clear I have to fight against a series of difficulties. I have two options: I can either become fixated on those problems, or turn them into an added challenge to the personal one I have ahead of me this season. And I've chosen the latter." In every race, and afterward, I offer and give Honda everything I know, which is my point of view. From there, it's up to them to decide. So, no matter how much I insist, tantrums are absolutely useless.
Peter Sauber, the boss of the Sauber Petronas F1 team, has recently said that Bridgestone only builds tires for Ferrari, and that's why the other teams in the championship using these tires are performing so poorly... Do you think Michelin is giving preferential treatment to Yamaha?
I have no complaints about Michelin. We did some specific tests at Clermont-Ferrand a few days ago; after Montmeló, we've been trying out some very interesting things...
Yes, the problems at the Château-Ring exist, but they're not Michelin's fault. At the end of each day, I analyze the session, see what I have, and conclude that to be at the front, I have to fight 110 percent with what I have. It's not worth stressing about what I don't have. And this philosophy is working well for me because, until now, no driver from a satellite team had done what I'm doing, which makes it doubly impressive.
Last year you won at Assen in the rain. What are your expectations for this Saturday?
Fighting for the podium again. If we manage it, great. And if we win again, perfect. But I never obsess over winning. Of course, I want to win every race, but it's not the primary objective. Victory is always a consequence of something, of doing things well. Now I have to think about Thursday, then Friday's qualifying session, then Saturday's race, and on Sunday I'll start thinking about Brazil... Step by step.
In Assen, I expect to have fewer traction problems than in Montmeló, except for two points on the circuit that we've already started studying with the whole team. But I'm convinced that the banking in most of the corners and the excellent grip of this track will help us reduce the problems we've had lately.
Sete, there are already those who are starting to talk about a new engine for Honda. There's even talk of an inline three-cylinder...
I haven't seen it, but I think this engine was already being discussed last year, and it was even ruled out. Our problem today is the chattering and the lack of traction. Worrying about the engine now, speculating about a new one, is pointless.
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