Rossi playing down title talk
Added on Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 by Carole Nash Editor
Rossi playing down title talk
Valentino Rossi has played down his chances of claiming the 2012 MotoGP championship, claiming that Ducati is still trying to catch up with Honda and Yamaha despite the change to 1,000cc engines.
Speaking at Ducati’s annual Wrooom event at Madonna di Campiglio in Italy, Rossi claimed that whilst Ducati should have ideals on challenge for the championship, he was realistic in acknowledging that there is still a significant gap between Ducati and the front-runners, as was evident at the post-season test in Valencia in November.
“The championship is difficult because the gap in 2011 was quite big. Our target is to fix problems step by step, and try to come closer to Yamaha and Honda. And from that moment, start to fix all the details, to be competitive for the victory.
“I do not want to say from the start that I cannot fight for the championship, but I have to be realistic. In the end there was 1.5 seconds we have to recover, and our target is to get close to the others and be able to race with them and fight with them. This is our goal.
“We know we need time, but we work well together – and it is a dream to try and win the first race. But in reality, we are a bit too far off – but maybe the new bike is a miracle.”
Rossi also warned fans not to expect miracles from the new GP12 machine at the forthcoming pre-season test at Sepang at the end of January.
“I think that the first test will be important, and for sure the bike will be different compared to last year. It is impossible to be competitive from the first test, but I think we will have some good information to work with, and be ready for the first race,” he said.
“Last year was a lot worse because from the first test we understood that the season will be very tough and difficult. After three laps we understood we could not win the first race, but now the situation is better – because I am fit.
“Today I am in shape physically, and we have two or three weeks ahead of us. I am ready for the first test. It is nice to work with Ducati, even if unfortunately the results have been under our expectations. The atmosphere is nice and we all believe in what we are doing.”
