The different team-bikes in front of the finish line in Losail. It is strange that the Honda with the 93 is there, but the driver is still missing. This is what the drivers said in the interview, as many of them had expected his presence at the season opener after Marc’s first tests.

From the breakdown press conference before day 1

Shortly before the embarrassing press conference in Losail, it was leaked that the crew chief of Maverick Viñales would be absent until Saturday. The Spaniard Esteban Garcia is Qatar’s second corona victim after Tatsuki Suzuki. When it finally started with the 1st PC on the last evening before the 1st free practice, the technology failed again. Jack Miller, which many colleagues and some so-called experts called the title favorite after the tests, was simply not heard several times. Someone then handed him a hand-held microphone, which apparently was not activated. The majority of the Spaniards, Dorna, once again seemed very clumsy. Later there were also mishaps when journalists connected via video conference with questions. In short, it started similarly to how we were almost used to it from the beginning in the desert state.

At the press conference with from left Valentino Rossi (Yamaha), Pol Espargaró (KTM), Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha), World Champion Joan Mir (Suzuki), Aleix Espargaró (Aprilia) and “Jack Ass” Miller (Ducati). With the Australian, not only did his own microphone not work, and one that was also given later, but also the pen to write down the favorites of the 3 classes.

Some driver opinions before the 1st free practice

Valentino Rossi: “It’s a great feeling to be driving again tomorrow and the atmosphere in the team is good. Now we have to see how it starts. The first tests weren’t too bad, and I start with a good feeling. I have a lot in common with my new team-mate. With 26 years of practice everything is still like going to school on the first day. Franco Morbidelli is one of my most important training colleagues, and we also spend a lot of time together. He is definitely one of the best drivers in the field and finally proved this last year at the latest. Having Franco on the team now is nice, but beating him will be very difficult as he is very fast. On this subject, you should always beat your teammate first. The answer to the often asked question of whether I want to continue is simple: Hopefully not and there will be another year or two. But I can only say it when we see how competitive I will really be.”

The MotoGP top seven from last year in the group photo, minus Andrea Dovizioso as fourth, therefore actually the first eight. In addition to Dovi, Marc Marquez is also missing in Losail before the new season starts with the first double race of the season on the weekend. The Catalan is expected back in Portugal or Jerez at the earliest.

Joan Mir: “The changes to the bike were minor. We’ll try to win more races than last year. We are definitely in a good position and in the team we tried to replace Davide Brivio well. At the moment we don’t miss him, and we hope he has a lot of success in Formula 1.“

Jack Miller: “The preparation for the season was good. We’re starting from zero, like everyone else, and now I’m happy when it finally starts. Little has changed for me in the works team. Everything is good, of course a little more pressure than before in the customer team. There are more people around me, but I’m just trying to have fun. Now I am happy when it starts.“

Aleix Espargaró: “The 2021 bike is definitely better than the Aprilia from last year. After very positive tests, we now have to try to confirm this at the start of the season.“

Our recording from 2019 – when MotoGP competed for the last time on the Losail circuit in Qatar. The traffic lights will go out for the first time on March 28th, when it will be early evening in Europe.

Fabio Quartararo: “The end of last season was difficult. But I’ve learned a lot with lots of ups and downs. Now I am happy that it is starting. In the works team, I can’t say that I “only” want to get into the top five. It is now normal here that I want and should win like everyone else. The pressure is definitely a bit greater than in the customer team, but everyone else has that too. So little has changed compared to the previous year, and I’m glad it’s starting now. We will start with the new chassis. This decision has already been made for the start of the season.“

Valentino Rossi and Franco Morbidelli in front of his Petronas Yamaha M1 with the number 21. According to the old master, his former protégé and friend is the title favorite, which Rossi sees as his wish above all.

Pol Espargaró: “Certainly, with so few days of testing, everything is very difficult compared to before. This applies above all to the rookies and of course the riders who, like me, changed bikes. Therefore, the beginning will be very demanding. I will try to enjoy it. The Honda is certainly not the easiest bike on the grid, but I am convinced that it is also not the most difficult bike in terms of “drivability”. Starting in Qatar is on a track that is not one of the best for Honda and for me. But I feel ready. With only 4 days here in Qatar, however, I have no idea how it will be on other routes. At least for the beginning I feel confident. Want to see how it starts first and not think about whether the Honda is difficult to drive or not. I had thought this myself before, but since I have been driving it, I am no longer convinced of it. Everyone at Repsol Honda is also waiting for Marc Marquez to return, as he can give a lot of input for further development. But we still have to be patient with this.“

Vice World Champion Franco Morbidelli (Yamaha, left) and World Champion Joan Mir (Suzuki) – the two most consistent drivers of the past season will be the two most hunted this year.

The most mentioned favorites at the press conference

In a question and answer game, the 6 MotoGP heroes present were asked to name their favorites in each class for the coming season. Only Joan Mir and Jack Miller named themselves. Here are the answers from all the pilots present at the PC:

Champion of all 3 classes: MotoGP, Moto2 & Moto3
Rossi: Morbido, Bezzecchi, Migno (as he noted, his drivers, of course)
Quartararo: Joan Mir, Jake Dixon, Jaume Masia
Aleix: Mir, Alex Lowes, Masia
Jack: Miller (oneself), instead of Lowes (first selected) at the end Remy Gardner, Pedro Acosta
Pol: Mir, Lowes, Gabriel Rodrigo
Joan: Mir (at least he hopes so), Lowes, Rodrigo

Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha) – That he was not named as a World Cup favorite by anyone compared to last year was definitely fine with him. In 2020, you had the impression that he was putting too much pressure on himself. Now he can actually start the season unencumbered like his team-mate Maverick Viñales, despite his factory driver status.

The schedule for the Qatar weekend

The changeover to daylight saving time is from Saturday to Sunday, which only affects Europe and which is why the time difference in Qatar is reduced by one hour. It starts on Friday afternoon, and we will publish a daily summary of it. As usual with us, without bias as usual on many portals, but free from a sporty, neutral look. Les Jeux sont fait, as they say in roulette before the balls are rolled, it starts tomorrow, Friday!

Unless otherwise stated, applies to all images (© MotoGP).