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The fifth round of the 2021 MotoGP world championship will start tomorrow with the French Grand Prix. As is very often the case, the weather conditions for the race weekend at Le Mans forecast a wet track. Although he has always achieved good results on the Bugatti circuit, Pol Espargarò declared that he would much prefer to race on a dry track in order to further deepen his knowledge of the Honda RC213V.
"I am very positive after having had a good day of testing in Jerez - Pol said - I understood a lot of things about the bike and I tried some very useful ones to be able to take a step forward." Then he continued talking about Puig's situation: "I don't know if Alberto will be in the garage or not. He and I understand each other well, both because we speak the same language and because we have known each other for a long time. Between us it is really easy to talk and understand each other, he is very clear with me and I am with him. As for the Japanese staff, I'm trying to get to know every one of them in order to work better on the bike. Alberto is an important part of the Honda project and not having him here is difficult. We all would like him to come back soon, maybe he will come to the circuit. He is already here, but he is still recovering and we do not know if he will be in the circuit ”.
The weather forecast says it’s going to rain, what do you think?
"At the moment I'm still trying to find the right set-up of the bike to go fast in dry conditions. If it rains this weekend I'm not saying it would be like starting from scratch but almost. I certainly wish he didn't rain. If I had to be fast in the wet it would be an isolated condition, then there would be Barcelona and I would have difficulties again. Looking at the weather forecast it seems difficult. It’s very cold, then it rains, then it stops. I will try to give my best whatever conditions I find ”.
Do you think that the experience accumulated over the years will help you in case it rains?
"First of all, it must be said that Le Mans is a track where I have always gone fast, both in 125 and in Moto2. In MotoGP, I did some good races here with Yamaha and KTM. Last year, always in the rain, I made the podium with the KTM. This place has always been a bit magical for me. Anyway, in the past few years I knew more about the bike I was riding. "
Last weekend you said that in the team you were going down different paths. Did the tests serve to clarify your ideas or hasn't the situation changed?
“I'm following the same work as Jerez. In the tests we tried a lot of things in terms of ergonomics, aerodynamics, electronics. It was a busy day. We have to try to improve every day, that's what we can do and that's what we have to do! ”.
You said it would take you about four GPs to understand the limit of the bike. Did you find it?
"Yes. Monday's test helped me a lot. At Le Mans it is important to know the limits of the bike in different conditions and with different tyres, with each tyre you have a different response ”.
As you said before, Le Mans is a circuit where you have always been very strong. Could it be the turning point with Honda?
“I'm not the type who thinks that in the middle of one GP there can be a real turning point. I think more than anything else that there must be a complete and perfect preparation, in MotoGP everything must be organized and structured. I don't even think that with a good result in one race it can change the whole situation. What I am sure of is that I have always been fast here and that I am going fast. I am not very convinced that I can find the turning point ”.
