Maverick Viñales vying for first ever Moto3 title, holding the most race wins after nine Grands Prix.
The reigning rookie of the year in the lower cylinder category, Maverick Viñales, lies second in the Moto3 World Championship at the half way point of 2012, just 9 points behind leader Sandro Cortese. After 9 races, the Repsol rider has 5 wins to his name —more than any other rider. In his second season in the World Championship, Viñales has become a major focus of attention.
Second in Moto3 and nine points off the leader. You have five wins, one second place and four poles from nine races. Are you satisfied with the first half of the season?
“Yes, completely. You can see that when you list the results: Five wins, four poles —definitely strong results.”
Would you have taken your current position if offered at the start of the year?
“Yes, of course. Who wouldn’t? I don’t think anyone would think twice about taking that.”
With less victories, Sandro Cortese leads the standings. Consistency is important for becoming a champion too, right?
“Undoubtedly. It is important to be consistent and not make mistakes. However, it is also important to be fast and decisive at certain moments.”
What are your best and worst moments of the season so far?
“Each win becomes the best moment. The worst moment was maybe Germany.”
You have taken some good results from Grands Prix at which you haven’t been happy with your performance. How does that feeling affect you ahead of the next race?
“One thing can lead to another. The desire to do a good job sets you on the path to victory.”
Several World Champions predict that in a season you can afford two DNFs. This year, with the results in France and Germany, you’ve already reached that quota. Do you think this is true, or that with the title chase being so tight there is still room for mistakes?
“Well, that is not an exact figure just opinions. Clearly, the fewer zeros you have, the better, but in such a tight championship everyone runs the risk of making a mistake. We will try to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.”
Being a new category, this was a first half-season with many tests and changes for the factories. How do you rate the performance and development of the FTR-Honda up to now? What do you ask of them for the remaining races?
“The evolution has been very good. At the beginning of the year the bike was slower than the KTM. Later, Honda made a breakthrough that placed us in a position to fight against them, and in recent races the KTM is back to working very well. However, although more work is needed, my team has provided me with a very competitive bike.”
With eight rounds remaining, including trips to Asia and Oceania, is this second half of the championship more demanding than the first?
“Sure. It is always challenging because it is the final half and will decide the championship. There are less races to go each time and less margin for error.”
Sandro Cortese and you are separated by just 9 points, whilst third-placed Luis Salom is more than 50 behind you. How would you describe your direct rival for the title?
“He’s a strong, consistent rider. There is no doubt that he is a great rival, which adds even more value to the races in which I manage to beat him.”
After competing last season on a 125cc and now on a Moto3, how do you assess the change?
“There aren’t too many differences, which is what we saw upon trying the bike for the first time. We knew that there would be an evolution in the class, that the bikes would have less power and be easier to ride. In my opinion, it is an interesting class.”
What does Maverick Viñales do over the summer break? Holidays?
“Take the time to be with my friends and family, rest, relax, take my mind off things and also train. It will be a little bit of rest and a little bit of training.”
Finally, why do you have a boar as a mascot?
“It’s because of a nickname that my team gave me. I suppose it’s because I have an aggressive attitude on track. I really like it.”
