As we promised you earlier, we’ll bring you some more interview translations over the next few days of the several interviews Álvaro gave at the test in Valencia and throughout the still young off-season so far.
The following is an extensive interview with Jaime Martin from Marca (conducted before the official confirmation of Suzuki’s departure).
Alvaro Bautista (Talavera, 1984) could have been left without a bike now after the departure of Suzuki. But instead he has the best package for 2012: the Honda. Twist of fate… and result of his good work. He goes to a team which is badly affected by the death of Simoncelli, but has now regained the spirit. He talked to Marca after showing his support for OID.
Seeing the situation of Suzuki, which is practically out of MotoGP, it’s better that you left, right?
Before I left, the situation was unclear. In fact, the decision to leave was because of that. In principle we would have competed with the 800cc bike in 2012 and until 2013 we wouldn’t get the 1000cc. But it was not one 100% confirmed. That was the reason why I started to go around and look for other options. Right now there is only a slim chance for them to continue next year. It’s a shame for them, because it is a great team, they are a great people. They have worked very well with me these two years. They don’t deserve to be out of the championship. Suzuki is a very important factory. They should make an effort. I hope we see them in the world championship. If not next year, then to return for 2013.
After two years of struggle to make the Suzuki competitive, what is your feeling? Sadness, disappointment, frustration?
A bit of everything. We worked hard, we have solved some things about the bike. In the end the bike was not bad, it was quite competitive. Maybe not up to the level of Yamaha and Honda, but it had much improved. They were at the peak of the 4-stroke era and that’s when they pulled out. So, yes it makes me a bit sad and also frustrated for all the developments that are now gone. I would’ve wanted them not to waste it.
For you personally, you’re starting a period of motivation with perhaps the best bike of your life. Is this almost as much as what can be achieved in MotoGP?
I think the change has been very positive. For 2012 we have good material, if not the best. We are in a very experienced team. I’m very excited and motivated. We have a very good basis to start from, with references from other riders. But that does not guarantee anything. You have to work, to focus 100%. You have to keep doing things like I have done the last two years, never rest, always wanting more. If I can do that this year, I am able to achieve good results. The base material will be good. What it needs is a good setup that allows me to fight with the front guys.
In Valencia you could see firsthand that the 1000cc Honda is going well. That gives you motivation, right?
Valencia is the worst circuit for the 1000cc as it is very twisty. But they showed that they are at a fairly high level, better than the other 1000cc bikes. It also motivates you. You think, “If they are able to ride well, why shouldn’t I be able to do it?” That gives you opportunities.
In terms of expectations: You just get on it and everyone is already saying you have to be on the podium every day.
Everyone tells me: “Now that you don’t ride with Suzuki, you have to win all the races.” But all the riders who are here have very good quality. It is not easy to beat them. To be ahead, you have to have everything in place and have a good day. The first one to demand good results from me is myself. There is a required step before that which are the tests this winter. I have to use the full potential of the bike. This winter I will try not to test under pressure. I won’t say: “I have to make a good test.” They will serve me to get to know the bike and adjust my riding style and adapt it for me.
Does it make you proud to hear that the vice-president of Honda, as well as Gresini and your new crew chief Antonio Jimenenz all say they wanted to work with you for a long time?
Yes, it gives you a lot of motivation. The people inside the championship know perfectly well what everyone brings. They have seen my work, which was not easy to develop a bike alone. I am proud that already before what happened to Marco they wanted me. I will try to pay them back for the trust they put in me.
The Gresini team has been through very hard times after the death of Simoncelli, but they have already said that your arrival has restored part of their spirit and motivation. Does that also motivate you?
Yes, Fausto told me that he regained the enthusiasm with this project. Also the sponsor is quite happy. It is very important that everyone is motivated. That will make it easier to get good results.
Talking to psychologists after what happened with Marco, they said that the riders have to face that pain, which includes watching the crash several times. Have you done this?
Inevitably I have seen it. They showed it everywhere, all the time. It should be very clear that this is a risky sport and that these things, unfortunately, can occur. Luckily it rarely happens and hopefully it won’t happen again. You lose your motivation and energy a little. I’ve been sad for days, fucked up, pardon my language, but that’s how it was. When we got to the week before Valencia I tried to change the mentality, be more positive. When I felt in a better mood was after I got on the bike. I returned to just forget everything, as I always do. It was very positive, because your perspective changes. From then on everything was back to normal. It was good that we had another race, because if the championship had been over it would have been a hard winter for everyone.
You, like many Spanish riders, had many fights with him. Do you also regret, like Lorenzo, not having talked with him about things differently?
You have to put yourself in that situation. After the way he acted on the track in 2008 and 2009, I barely had a relation with him. We did not talk. But it’s true that following the issue with Japan, the riders had meetings and we returned to talk. You can say that we got along fine, we were more united. I’ve never criticized nor have I said bad things about him. I said what I had to say in the moment when it occurred. I didn’t go on about whether he’s more dangerous or not. I have discussed specific actions. Nobody could have imagined what would happen. It’s a complicated situation.
One could say that you go to a team of which two riders have died. Can that thought ever cross your mind?
I don’t think that. It’s been a coincidence. There’ve been more riders in this team and nothing has happened. Sete achieved very good results and nothing happened. It was in the same year when his teammate died. That’s it. No use for more laps or more explanations. Fausto had bad luck, it’s been a hard bit for him. No need to read more into it.
You said you were going to make a poster with your first pass of Rossi. Now with the Honda you won’t see him.
Hold on. It’s Valentino. This year, with the new bikes, no one knows what will happen. Currently you have to take all the rivals seriously. In particular Valentino. We already know what he can do.
Source: Marca
