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Today in Jerez he seemed to see the Marc Marquez of the good old days: fast and consistent. The third final time behind Bagnaia and Vinales is a great calling card for his home GP and even he does not deny it. The Team Gresini rider prefers not to sing victory too soon, but the chronological record speaks for him. "In the morning I felt good, then in the afternoon the others came closer, the important thing is to be in the top 5 which is my goal. As in all GPs, the position on the grid will affect Sprint and race," he comments on his day.
Too bad about that T4...
"The final sector has never been my strong point and I keep losing a bit, I need to improve there and in the second but we know why. It is something we have to analyze, because compared to the other Ducati riders I am faster everywhere, but in the afternoon I was struggling in the two fast corners because of the wind. Although I lose about two tenths in the last part compared to Bagnaia, I am only behind him by one and that is positive."
Does the air at home help?
"Jerez helps for the fans, but on the bike I'm on my own (laughs). I have the motivation to do a good result, we'll see if I can continue on this level, if I can stay with the front group. At the moment there are 3 or 4 of us in front of everyone, but we'll have to see who makes more progress tomorrow and the position on the grid. This morning I was very comfortable and in the afternoon with the wind a little less, I also had some problems with the rear tire but I was consistent, and that's the most important thing."
How long have you been in Ducati is your best start?
"It's the Friday where I've been the best, from the beginning, it's a progression: each time it's better. The setup I used in Austin, which was very different from what I used in Qatar and Portimao, is better than what I was used to, and if you add up all the things you have more confidence. I also changed the front brake lever and another part of the setup, but we also have other ideas that we will try in Monday's test."
At one time the Desmosedici did not digest Jerez....
"The Ducati is a very complete bike, in my opinion the most complete bike in the lineup. At one circuit one or another can go better, but to fight for the championship you look for a complete bike that makes you understand how to be fast. Bagnaia and Martin know this perfectly because they have only ridden this bike, I am understanding it better and better, but the adaptation period is over. I have already finished it, now I have to work on the small details and sometimes I will struggle more and sometimes less to get it done, but I have to keep trying. We haven' t put everything together yet, we'll see if we can do it here, a good goal is to get on the podium in the next two races."
The podium, not the win?
"The podium. I only got on it in the Sprint, on Sunday my best result was 4th place in Qatar. First I have to succeed and then win, in Austin we had a chance but I didn't take advantage of it."
Have you lost your Honda vices?
"My riding style is made for Honda, first I tried to adapt to Ducati and now we are trying to bring the bike towards me as well . This is helping me and that's why I'm managing to be fast and more consistent right away. It is impossible to completely change your style after 10 years."
So you would like to continue in the future with Ducati?
"Yes, that's clear."
What do you think then about the Pramac team?
"It is a great team, it has the official bikes and it has shown that it can fight for the World Championship, but it is not the factory team."
Today it was Bagnaia who took your wake....
"It's the races. If we compare with how many times I did it with him in the past, he can use my slipstream many more times (laughs) It's good for me, it means I'm fast. Last year I was following him because he was the fastest and today he did it to understand the third sector better, if I can keep up with him in the Sprint I will watch how to improve in the last one. It's natural in racing, sometimes you follow someone, sometimes someone follows you."
You also gave it to your brother Alex.
"I was the last rider to come out of the pit box so I didn't have anyone in front, last year I was always looking for a slipstream while now it's the opposite, I prefer to turn alone. My brother was struggling a bit in the last few races, so it was a pleasure for me to help him, even though he's fast enough to make that time even on his own. The teammate is the first rival to beat, but he is also my brother and he is a little different. Now we can exchange our opinions; last year we didn't."
How is it going with Carchedi, your chief technician?
"The relationship with Santi was special, we worked together for 13 years, but with Frankie it's getting better and better. He's getting toknow me better, and in the end, he's a fantastic technician, he won the World Championship with Mir."
A lot of people fell today, 9 in FP2, but not you.
"I would have rather fallen today than tomorrow or Sunday (laughs). With this format you take a lot of risks in all the rounds, except in FP1, but already in the second session it's all complicated: you go out, you have to get into a rhythm and then get ready for the time attack, you use a lot of tires. Today there was hot asphalt and cold wind, that's what betrayed so many riders, if the temperatures drop tomorrow it will be even worse."
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