Valentino Rossi (Team WRT) : « I still need to understand a few things »

You're making your WEC debut this weekend. How do you feel about it?

I'm excited, because it's something new. It's great to be racing in WEC. It's a real step forward after my first two years in GT World Challenge Europe. Everything's different here and I'm curious to see how the weekends go and how the race goes. Of course, these are different, longer events. There are the Hypercars to deal with on the track, but I'm proud to be here with BMW, and I hope to be competitive.

You know Losail well from your Moto GP experience, but is it more of a motorcycle or car track?

Not particularly. It's just as good for car racing. I came here in 2003, over 20 years ago, and on the first day they laid the first metre of asphalt. There was no track. It's great to see the new facilities. I like this track. With a GT car, the lines are different from the motorcycle. But I know the circuit, and it's good to start here.

Does your MotoGP experience help you with the tires, or even the car?

Of course. With tires it's pretty similar. When you drive, the feeling is close, and the way you talk to the engineers is the same. From that point of view, it's close. But the races are obviously very different. That's the main point, because MotoGP is all about 40-minute races, flat-out. Here, with the long races, you have to save the tires, there's strategy and you also have to work in the pits with the drivers' changes. I really appreciate it.

How do you feel about Goodyear tires, which you're discovering like so many other drivers?

It's a shame not to be racing on Michelin tires, because I've been driving on them for several years, but Goodyear tires are good. Coming from Pirelli (manufacturer of the SRO series), it's obviously different, especially at the front, with a different grip. So we have to work on the car's balance. It will be strange to change tires from one championship to the next, but it will be an experience.

What do you think you need to improve in your driving?

For me, this is my third season. It's difficult, because the level in GT is high, with some very good drivers who can take the cars to their limits. In the beginning, I struggled, but I got better, making great progress between the first and second seasons. But I worked a lot between the second year and the third, because I'm quite fast, but I'm still lacking something compared to the top drivers. The aim is to reach their level. It'll be difficult, but I'm not far off. I still need to understand a few things, like how to use the tires on a lap when the rubber is new. The others know how to keep up a good pace without making mistakes. Here, the limits of the track will be a problem, because you have to be attentive at all times, because a small mistake is a warning.

How will you deal with the Hypercar traffic?

It won't be easy. You have to handle it carefully, but at the same time, you must not lose any time. I've never experienced that on a motorcycle, with competitors who are much slower. You often have to look behind now. The Hypercars are 10 seconds faster, and this year, their number has greatly increased. So at least once a lap, two Hypercars will overtake you. You have to understand the different places where you have to stay and let them pass. Hypercar drivers are all professionals, and know how to deal with that. Sometimes it could be dangerous with the difference in speed.

Do you feel any pressure with Le Mans on your 2024 agenda?

The 24 Hours of Le Mans has been my primary objective right from the start. As soon as I started talking to Vincent Vosse, we wanted to go to Le Mans. I really wanted to race there, and last year with Road to Le Mans, I discovered the track, and I loved it. You're often at full speed. Road to Le Mans was only an hour, so for 24 hours, with the night, the Hypercars ... I think it will be exciting. Pressure? Not at the moment, but as we get closer to the race, yes, of course, because it's such a huge event. Last year, it was a discovery and I was impressed, with the paddock, the people, the way of the guys are working behind the boxes, it's great. Yes, the pressure will be on before the race.

Will we see you in a Hypercar one day ?

Why not. But that's not my objective. I don't know if I'll be fast enough to drive the Hypercar. Because there are only Pro drivers. I want to try it for sure. I'm pushing hard with BMW and Andreas Roos (BMW M Motorsport boss) has promised me that at the end of the season, I'll be able to try it out. Last year I tested an LMP2, to understand the prototype. From my point of view, the Hypercar is similar to the motorcycle, compared to the GT. The lines are pretty close, you really stay on the track, and the grip is important. We'll see, but if I continue in GT, I'll be happy.

For how long do you see yourself racing?

The problem is that I'm pretty old, but I'm still in shape. I'm going to try for ten years! It depends on how fast I am.

Has being a father changed anything for you?

Most motorcycle racers are perhaps a little apprehensive. Enzo Ferrari used to say that a each child was like an extra second. But I don't think about my daughter when I'm driving. And in the car, it's safer than on the bike, so I'm always relaxed.