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For one extra lap, Valentino went from 2nd to 20th place. The operation is a bit complicated, but there is a rule, decided by Michelin along with Race Direction. The French manufacturer brought the super soft wet tyre that had created problems at Brno and ruled that it could not be used for more than 10 consecutive laps.
“I did 9, but I had not counted the out and in laps so it became a total of 11. It was a mistake and I was naive. I thought they would cancel just one lap, but instead they screwed me out of the entire outing” Rossi joked.
Does this lap limit seem fair to you?
“It seems strange. In my opinion, it is a good tyre to go full race distance. Michelin is worried because it had created problems at Brno, but on that occasion the temperature was over 20°C and the track was drying out.”
And here, on the other hand?
“This is the right place to use it. This morning I used it for about ten laps and it seemed new. I could have done another ten. I think it is more dangerous to use the soft than the super soft.”
Could Michelin change their minds?
“That is their decision. We spoke and they said ‘no’.”
Why did you decide to mount that tyre?
“Because I had already used it in Brno without any problems. I knew that it would ensure safety for me. It isn’t really all that soft. As I said, I used it for 9 laps and it heated up only in the last three.”
Dovizioso thinks that Michelin brought it just to be safe…
“I agree with him. They did it in the event that we might find conditions like today. But I still do not understand the ten-lap rule.”
It is the same old story; Phillip Island does not have the ideal climate at this time of year…
“I have been saying it for six years, both in the Safety Commission and to Ezpeleta. Last year we had good weather and riding here is fantastic, but with these conditions it is dangerous.”
What is your idea?
“To come in March, at the beginning of the championship season. But it would be a date too close to the one when Formula 1 races here in Australia. It is the same organizer and they do not want to do that. I don’t really understand this choice, because in Italy and Japan the car and bike rounds are close together and there is no problem with spectators.”
So tomorrow you risk participating in Q1…
“I’d have 15 more minutes to go out, but I would prefer doing without them (he laughs). Hopefully the conditions will be good, because today the times were fast and getting into the top ten may not be simple.”
How did it go today, besides the cancelled times?
“This morning I was able to get about twenty minutes of work in. The afternoon, on the other hand, was entirely useless. The sensations were good. I had done some good times.”
What was the biggest problem this afternoon?
“The temperatures were too low. At 10°C, the conditions are at the limit for us and the bike does not work. This is not a dangerous track per se, but it becomes dangerous when it is this cold. It could happen that the year goes well, but the probabilities are much higher that it will be like today.”
