“I’m worried”, Valentino Rossi does not hide his doubts on the eve of the Silverstone GP. Because his second place in qualifying - but in the rain – does not calm him for a race that could be in the dry. In that case, the problems multiply and the rivals are fast, so much that it makes a podium finish difficult.
“This is the weekend where I have struggled the most in the dry this year and that worries me a bit - he admits - in the last races my rivals got very close.”
Did you expect something different on this track?
“I thought that we would be fast, but that has not been the case. Even Lorenzo, who is usually very fast here, is struggling. He was faster than me on the flying lap, but our pace is similar.”
What is causing these problems?
“I’m struggling with the front tyre, right in the area where we were able to make the difference on other tracks. When the Yamaha has problems on the front, it triggers others. I think that the low temperatures also have a negative impact on our performance.”
Other doubts?
“The tyres, especially the front. I like the soft compound but it will not likely make it to the end of the race. With the hard solution it is more difficult to ride and the same goes for the rear.”
Only the warm up is left to clear up any doubts …
“And I hope it will be dry, although I don’t know if that little amount of time will be enough, because the rain also changes the track conditions. There is a risk that we may have to start the race tomorrow with a tyre we’ve never used before.”
Who are the main rivals?
“Viñales, Iannone and Marquez are fast and consistent. I’m not too far off, but after 5 or 6 laps the problems start for me. In the corners I have to stay leaned over too long and that strains the tyres.”
At least you will start ahead of them …
“This second place will be important, with or without rain. I was lucky to be able to set the bike up for the wet track in FP4. I did not like the setup we started with. My team was right when they suggested that I keep a bike with the old frame. I was sure I could be fast with the water.”
At this point, wouldn’t it be better to hope for a wet race?
“Right now, I am faster with the water, but in any case I prefer to race on a dry track. I need to be able to be fast in those conditions too. There is still time this evening and tomorrow morning to do it.”
Could Marquez take advantage of the situation?
“He wasn’t terribly fast yesterday, but this morning he was. He could decide to risk more in the race, seeing that Lorenzo and I are struggling.”
Are the Ducatis an inconvenience again?
“Iannone will start on the third row but he is very fast. He could make up positions very quickly. The Ducati makes the difference on the straights and that will help him.”