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Michele Pirro may not easily forget this Saturday at Mugello. The Italian rider pulled out the fourth best time in the Italian Grand Prix qualifiers to confirm his competitiveness. In all the sessions, number 51 kept pace with the best, just missing a spot on the front row. Once again, his Ducati finished ahead of Jorge Lorenzo’s and that is nothing new.
“It was a nice qualifier, fast, after many months of not being in a race like this. Obviously, doing a good session like that is not simple. In any case, I am satisfied, even if Sunday is the day that counts. I am coming to the race after being fast in all the sessions and I will try to do my best.”
Pirro remembers how he felt at the end of the qualifiers.
“When I got off the bike and saw that I had missed the front row by just a few thousandths, I was disappointed. Unfortunately, I lose too much time at Bucine, but that’s OK, despite a few thousandths left behind on the track. I just need to think about tomorrow, especially about starting well.”
His GP17 flies. Are you wondering what is different from the GP16?
“It is hard to make a comparison, because there are some aspects like the tyres, the asphalt and the circuit. It is not simple to find a difference without a comparative test done on the same circuit, using the same tyres at the same time.”
With the fourth best time under his belt, for Pirro it’s time to draw sums. The Borgo Panigale standard-bearer is quite strict with himself for the final mistake.
“For my speed I am satisfied with an eight, but I give myself a four after the mistake on the last turn. Trust me, I was very disappointed - he admitted - In any case, I am happy. From the first lap yesterday I was already fast. Even if my age advances, I am still able to be competitive.”
Is it reasonable to expect the podium?
“Dreaming doesn’t cost anything, you just need to work. I am wondering whether or not I should bring Tardozzi along on the first laps (he joked), since he told me to keep my elbows out on the first laps. At the start it will be difficult, since I am used to lapping by myself on the circuits.”
We wonder if perhaps this performance could pave the way for some more races.
“Maybe the opposite is true (he joked). I think that we have the best test team in the Championship, with nothing to envy of the others. The decisions for the races are not up to me, but I am ready and I would be happy if the number of wildcard spots were to increase.”
Do you think you deserve something more for the future or have you already let it go?
“I don’t think so, because I would likely not have achieved this kind of result. In fact, my last race in MotoGP dates back to September. I work every day to be faster and competitive, taking full advantage of the opportunities that I am given.”
How much does it bother you to see riders slower than you racing?
“It is not easy to answer that question. The priority is to advance the Ducati as much as possible, no matter whether Lorenzo or Dovi or I are the ones doing it. If I were to be the one, I’d be happy (he joked).”
