"There’s already enough hate on the internet". On the test: "Conditions were perfect today, which helped me be fast. We won't understand where everyone is really at until after Qatar"
11.03.2021 ( Aggiornata il 11.03.2021 11:22 )
Jack Miller is probably the man of the moment, for many reasons. Before today, it was for having exchanged words with Jorge Lorenzo on Instagram, something Jack couldn’t avoid talking about “I just stated my opinion. At the end of the day - he explains - it’s no use to anyone when someone writes rubbish, there’s already enough hate on social medial. When you talk a certain way about riders who’ve crashed, I will never agree, so I said my piece, and then that was that. I’ve a lot to think about, while others can enjoy the beach”.
Today talk turned to the track and Miller wasted no time, placing first and shattering Marc Marquez’s previous track record. A great result, but one that Jack downplays.
“I think today’s times give only so much of an idea, because we had the best possible conditions, no wind, a clean track and the ideal temperature. I guess we can say the perfect storm helped me set a great time”.
The Australian points out that he isn’t the only rider who appears quick, while also confirming how hard he’s worked from a technical standpoint, with a view to the future.
“I think more than one rider has already shown to be quick, Quartararo and Vinales for starters, but I feel very good on the bike right now. I’ve worked a lot on the set-up, trying to have a bike that is great in every way, not easy for any rider. I want to be as ready as possible for the races, also working on the new elements with Pecco and the other Ducati riders. The new fairing? I used it for most of the day, making only one exit with last year’s version. I like it, and think the others do too”.
“We’ll understand our real level once we leave Qatar”
Perfection doesn’t exist, as they say, and Miller analyses the areas where he can improve, at least as far as the Doha track is concerned.
“I’m not as quick as I’d like to be through sector three, and struggle to exit Turn 10. The Yamahas are struggling in terms of top speed, but at that point of the track they're doing better than us, as they have more traction. I’m working on rear grip anyway, while I really like the front”.
Jack appears up to speed but underlines how the performance of riders in Qatar is not particularly indicative in terms of the rest of the championship.
“The test times are always strange, especially in terms of pace. If I could repeat today’s time on used tyres I’d probably win the race with a 15-second lead (he laughs). The reality is that many other factors come into play in the race, so the pace seen so far only tells us so much. Many of the bike are often quick in Qatar anyway, so I don’t think we’ll know where everyone’s really at until we leave Qatar and head for another track where no one has tested”.
Lastly, Miller talks about adapting to the factory team, and Pol Espargaró.
“During testing, I had a lot of people around me in Pramac too, so I think I’ll only see a difference hin this respect over the race weekend itself. I reckon Pol did best during this test, particularly in terms of the work he’s done. He was tackling a new bike after years on the KTM, and a tricky bike too. He set great times and surprised me, seeing as the Honda hasn’t shown to be an easy bike in the past. Pol is riding well and didn’t crash at all, so he did a good job.”
Translated by Heather Watson
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