You are here

MotoGP, Lorenzo: Team orders? I didn't see them

"I was focused on riding, I didn't look at the dashboard. I didn't attack Dovi because it was too risky, not because they asked me not to"

MotoGP: Lorenzo: Team orders? I didn't see them

Share


Even before talking about his race, Lorenzo has to answer the questions about the team orders. Because that message didn't slip past anyone - the one that was sent to his dashboard, even broadcast to the viewers at home, suggesting that he switch to the mysterious "mapping 8". A simple phrase in code instructing him to let Dovizioso pass, as even Ducati top brass confirmed.

To be honest, I was too focused on riding and not making mistakes and ending up in the gravel like at Misano to look at the dashboard - Jorge responds - They told me about that message in parc fermé, but I simply rode my race. A good start, I defended against Marquez and then I set out to hunt down Zarco, who I knew would raise the pace with the soft tyre and that is exactly what happened.

He led the race for a few laps and then he made a mistake on the penultimate corner, leaving the door open to Dovizioso.

The front end closed up and I almost crashed. I closed my eyes because I had already pictured myself on the ground - Jorge recounts - Andrea capitalised and I tried to stay with him, but it was difficult. We were at the limit with the front and he gained a few tenths on me.”

From that moment on, the Majorcan was naturally prudent.

I know how important the world title is for Ducati and I did not want to do anything foolish - he explains - If I had been close to Dovi and had the chance to overtake him without taking any risks, I would have tried, but today I would have had to push too hard and there would have been a 90% chance that we would have both ended up on the ground.”

For Lorenzo the matter has been put to rest.

I have won 44 MotoGP races and I know that to do so with the Ducati it is just a question of time. I knew that I was in a delicate situation with Dovi battling for the Championship Title, but that is not why I didn’t attack him” he emphasises.

It was still an outstanding race for the Majorcan, as were all the dry sessions.

We figured out a few things that will be useful in Valencia and for the future as well - he assures - Dovizioso demonstrated that the Ducati is a winning bike, but he also showed that there are tracks where we struggle more than we’d like to. We need to work to make engine power output smoother and to improve cornering.

Translated by Jonathan Blosser
__

Related articles