Now that sports curators have made a decision about Zarco’s penalty, leaving him out of the pit race on Sunday, Franco Morbidelli needs to alleviate the controversy and leave everything to concentrate on the GP.
“I respect the resolution of the Commissioners,” he said, “I said he deserved punishment because he made a mistake, but it’s not for me to say what it is. The commissioners are doing their homework and I can’t comment on their work.”
Did you go through his decision?
“I don’t care, in the sense that this twist of fate is a thing of the afterlife for me.Since I gave my opinion on what happened, I have closed the bankruptcy and opened up to the commissioners.It is your task to analyze what happened and whether or not to give sanction, mine is to lead.”
So you didn’t expect anything?
“I didn’t need revenge on Johann, as some have said. I used strong words against him on Sunday, but only because I had just risked my life at three hundred kilometers constantly.I’ve known Zarco since we were kids,” we rode minibikes combined, so I have a sense of friendship with him.I just asked to be penalized for making a mistake. Now I’m going to stay focused on my task as productive as I can.”
What effect did it have on you to return today to the scene of the twist of fate?
‘It wasn’t a surprise because I didn’t fall for my mistake. But I had it alone, I think it’ll be someone else when it happens with other bikes. You don’t forget what happened and they’re not smart memories, I don’t know how I’ll react. Maybe I’ll go for a few laps with other drivers to see how I feel.”
Do you have any idea how to turn to an intellectual trainer, like drivers do?
“I want mental help, but not for this kind of challenge (laughs).”
Physically, how do you feel?
“Well, I didn’t have any primary disorder to roll. Fortunately, it’s not a very unconsytical circuit, in braking. I controlled myself to be quick, especially with the new tires, but in the afternoon it didn’t go wrong even with the central rear. Of course, I don’t have the most productive speed and I’m not even the fastest on the lap, but we know it’s a difficult track for Yamaha.”
What do you expect from this weekend?
“It’s more complicated than the previous one, because the runners are even closer. But I took a step forward.”
Quartararo complained about brake problems, do you have them too?
“Braking is a challenge here because the formula temperatures are high, especially when you’re in a group. I didn’t have any specific challenges, however, on this track, we are attentive to temperatures.”