Following his back-to-back MotoGP victories in the Italian Grand Prix and the Catalan Grand Prix, Ducati’s Jorge Lorenzo could consider himself with an outside chance of the 2018 title as he sits seventh with 66 points to his name.
His teammate Andrea Dovizioso and Suzuki’s Andrea Iannone are both on 66 as well, but Lorenzo’s double win has earned him a place ahead of them. But they are still 49 points behind Honda’s Marc Marquez.
The closest to Marquez is Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi with 88 points to the Spaniard’s 118. For Lorenzo, he admits that it is a difficult ask but not impossible as he is not the one to lose anything since the pressure will be on Marquez more.
“Bad news is that we are very far from him,” said Marquez. “The good news is that we have a lot of races to the end. So, before Mugello, it was impossible – now it is possible, even if it is very very difficult.
“But we have our chance. Honestly in this championship things change so much, I also can lose some points in a difficult race. Assen [the next grand prix venue], for example is a track that at the moment has been a lot of years that I don’t get good results.
“Last year was not very good. But honestly, right now our bike is also good. I feel great and probably we have the most complete Ducati ever. So, that’s also a good signal and let’s see. It is a lot of points.
“The good thing for us, we don’t have pressure, we don’t have nothing to lose. Marc has a little bit more pressure in that aspect.” At the same time, Marquez in response said he actually thrives under pressure.
From last year to this year, he feels much more comfortable in the championship fight and that the pressure is actually helping him to concentrate more. “I prefer this situation than last year,” he said.
“By this time last year, we were closer to the top guys but by not a lot. The most important thing is that how I feel with the bike and I feel a little bit like the second part of last year, when we have some troubles we are able to be on the podium and when I feel good, I am able to win.
“So, this is most important. Maybe the top guy [in the championship] is feeling the pressure, but I like the pressure. When I have the pressure, I am little bit more concentrate and everything is working better.”
When asked if he takes his future teammate Lorenzo as a credible threat this year, he felt yes as his fellow countryman seems stronger as things stands. However, he added that the Yamaha riders are also in the mix, especially Rossi with his consistent performances.