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Before tackling the asphalt in Austin, Marini and Mir got dirty on enduro bikes in the company of two-time Dakar winner Ricky Brabec. Maybe some off-road training will do them well in dealing with the potholes the CotA is famous for. But the track in Texas is also known to be Honda friendly. Not only with Marc, since Rins lwon there last year.
"I don't have any expectations," Luca plays it safe. " I think Alex had a fantastic weekend last year. But, even if we used the same set up as he did, I don't think it would work, because the bike has changed. It's a completely different track than the others, unique. And, starting tomorrow, we'll understand what our potential will be here. I'd like to fight for better positions. 2023 was a wonderful GP for me."
Austin is different story, compared to the other tracks on the calendar.
"It's a circuit where it makes a huge difference whether you feel good or not on the bike," Marini explained. " Lap times are over two minutes. The first sector is very difficult and, if you're not at ease on the bike, losing a seconed is easy. It's important to be prepared, to understand the situation well. Our bike is very agile. That could can help. But, right now, we have a lot of problems geting to lap, and it's important here."
Luca also had his say on the arrival of Liberty Media.
"I think anything that can help our sport is good. This could be an opportunity to grow, to increase our audience," his stated. "It'll take time to see if it's going to work, but trying to do something different is good, because the Formula 1 has grown a lot in recent years, even if the entertainment is worse than than MotoGP. We have great potential. We just have to use it."
Mir is also on the same page as his teammate when asked about the Texas GP.
"I don't have any real expectations," Marini also stated. "On paper, Portimão was a good circuit for us, but we struggled on the first day, and that made my weekend difficult, even if I was close to the top ten on Sunday, which is our goal now, when we can put everything together."
Joan, however, doesn't see everything black.
"It's a special track. The sensations on the bike make a difference in terms of riding. It's not one of my favorite circuits. But, when you go fast on a circuit, you eventually have fun, and I think we have an opportunity here to do something more. Last year, even with bad feelings, I was close to being in the Q2 and in the race.When I fell, I was seventh. Now I feel more mature. I know the bike better. I'm optimistic," he concluded.
