MotoGP | Austrian GP Race: Valentino Rossi, “It would have been wonderful to get on the podium”

MotoGP GP Austria Red Bull Ring Spielberg Yamaha Petronas SRT 2021 – Crazy and incredible race in the MotoGP class at the Red Bull Ring, scene of the Austrian Grand Prix.

The rain that arrived with six laps to go, but with more force four from the checkered flag, meant that the leading riders went in to take the second bike with the rain tires, but many, including Valentino Rossi, took a risk with the slick.

At one point the "Doctor" was on the virtual podium, but in the last two laps he had to give up, finishing eighth. However, the emotion of the Pesaro native was great, as he was honored by his fans and also by the KTM grandstand, which displayed the "Thank you Valentino" banner and by a flag carried by the helicopter. Here's what the #46 of Team Yamaha Petronas had to say.

Valentino Rossi Statements Austrian GP Red Bull Ring Spielberg Race

“Incredible, exciting race! I decided not to stop and to continue with the slicks and I think it was the right choice. I recovered positions, even if the last lap was really difficult because it was raining a lot. In the end it's a good result, I brought home some points and it's important for me and for the Team in a difficult moment. We return home after two very difficult races on paper with some points and that's positive."

Statements by Valentino Rossi on the virtual podium Austrian GP Red Bull Ring Spielberg Race

“It would have been great to get on the podium. I was riding well and when I saw P3 on the board I didn't realize I was third, because it's hard to understand the position in a race like this. When I got to the first corner I was immediately 'afraid', I tensed up and ended up a little wide. Then unfortunately, with two corners to go, all those with rain tires arrived, Pecco, Martin, Mir and they passed us. The last two corners were nice, because those with the rain tires were going fast, we were in front but with the slicks, it was a very excited finale.”

Valentino Rossi Statements Flag-to-flag rule Austrian GP Red Bull Ring Spielberg Race

“The perfect rule would be that if you are all on slicks and with 6 laps to go it starts to rain, you give a red flag and make the classification on that lap or the one before. It would be the safest thing, but now there is the flag-to-flag rule, but I honestly prefer this to having to stop, put on rain tyres, make another start and then maybe it stops raining. When you're on a motorbike you try to do the best thing to get the best result. I said I'll stop at the end of the year because I said I would communicate my future during the summer break, but I haven't given up, I'm training, I'm fully concentrated and when I get on the motorbike it's as if I have to race for years to come. Races like this give motivation, a race like this was useful to me and the Team. The first part of the season was very negative, not only for the results, but above all for the crashes in Portimao, Barcelona and Assen. That's not me, I can take the 'pay' and get a little further back, but falling to get thirteenth is not good. From here to the end I would like to get to the end and get some points.”