Luca Marini expresses his excitement for the new MotoGP season and the new adventure with his team. He highlights the strong relationship he has built with his team, including the Japanese engineers. Marini appreciates the ongoing communication and support, which have fostered a positive and collaborative environment within the team.
Marini acknowledges that the team is aware of his current potential and emphasizes the importance of keeping an open mind and working diligently in the early races to prepare and develop the bike as effectively as possible. His goal is to reduce the gap to the frontrunners and fight for good positions in the shortest time possible, although he admits that achieving top results immediately is not the main objective.
When asked about the potential of the bike, Marini suggests that the bike’s performance may be better than observed during the tests, but it is too early to make definitive statements. He points out that the true performance of competitors and the effectiveness of the tires used during the tests are still unknown factors.
Transitioning from a satellite rider to a factory rider, Marini speaks of the significant changes and added responsibilities that come with his new role. He is motivated by the challenge and the opportunity to work closely with Honda to find solutions and make improvements to the bike. Marini is particularly focused on addressing the bike’s rear grip issues, which he believes is the main area that needs improvement.
Marini is pleased with Honda’s response to his feedback and the productive relationship they have developed. He considers the bike’s gearbox and electronic systems as strengths, but acknowledges that there is still room for improvement in overall performance.
Physically, Marini has adapted well to the bike, despite being one of the tallest riders in the paddock. He has worked with Honda to adjust the bike’s ergonomics to better suit him, resulting in a comfortable riding position.
Lastly, Marini comments on the faster lap times recorded during pre-season testing, attributing them to improvements in tire performance, more rubber on the track due to increased laps by riders, and significant advancements in bike technology in recent years. He believes that the combination of these factors has contributed to the overall increase in performance and speed in the MotoGP field.
