It was not, his debut in MotoGP, an easy year for Luca Marini, who arrived in the premier class with the shadows of having been catapulted for being the brother of Valentino Rossi. But the 2020 Moto2 world runner-up, little by little, is building a worthy end to the season, achieving his best result in qualifying this Saturday, going directly to Q2 and putting his head on the front row of the grid.
For many the result of Marini may be surprising, who assured that for him it was not and that he expected a good position.
“Yes, I was expecting something like this because in these (climatic) conditions I knew that the differences between the bikes are attenuated and it is the rider who makes the differences”, argued the young Italian rider.
“I have tried to balance all the sectors to make a clean lap. In the end, it’s not that it came as a surprise to me, but what is certain is that when I saw myself third on the screens, I was a bit moved, because it’s a good reward for the work of the whole team”, he valued.
In that sense, Marini believes that the fruits of the work are coming.
“We started the year with many difficulties, we have worked hard throughout the year and I am proud that now we are able to reap the rewards and that this work is reflected in the results”.
With this excellent result, Luca now has to finish off the weekend on Sunday.
“The race will be complicated because in dry conditions the differences are more pronounced. We’ll see what awaits us because we haven’t run dry any day. I would like to finish in the top 10, that would satisfy me. I want to ride with the best riders in the world and be able to get good experience and see what areas we can improve in the race”.
The Italian rider pointed to position on the bike and improved ride comfort as one of the keys to moving forward.
“I think I am getting closer to the leading riders and that has to do with how I feel on the bike. At the beginning of the year some circuits were going well for me, like Portimao, but I always lacked that something in the race. I have tried to improve that aspect and build my feelings on the bike. In the Misano test we did a good job, the ergonomic part works much better and I can ride the bike as I wish. That is the key with the Ducati , we all maintain the same Moto2 riding style, like Enea [Bastianini] or Pecco [Bagnaia], and now I feel more comfortable in the position on the bike and that has allowed me to improve”, he valued .
“It is clear to me that the conditions of the track have helped me to achieve this third place, but I sincerely believe that I have improved thanks to the work of the whole year and that now we are closer to the fastest drivers”
Marini will close a front row led by Bagnaia and monopolized by Ducati. The man from Turin has a good opportunity to delay the wing of Fabio Quartararo, who starts 15th. Although Ducati has not given orders, the rookie will lend him a hand as much as he can.
“No [Ducati has asked us for nothing]. I will not bother Pecco. I think it will be difficult for him to bother him. He will come out stronger than me. He has a great opportunity. He has to win and it is the only realistic result he has. everything you can to keep him behind, to annoy him a little. He is very strong, he is leading the World Cup and it will be difficult to keep him behind”, settled the VR46 player.
(Click on this link or on the image to see the photos of Luca Marini at the 2021 MotoGP Emilia Romagna GP)
