Dani Pedrosa unmoved by claim that 2013 is last MotoGP title chance
Dani Pedrosa says Honda's declaration that 2013 will be a 'now or never' season for his MotoGP title aspirations has had no effect on him
Honda chief Shuhei Nakamoto suggested earlier this month that given Pedrosa's very strong late-2012 form, he had the potential to dominate '13 and open the floodgates to a run of titles.
But Nakamoto warned that Pedrosa's position heading into 2013 was so good that if he failed to capitalise on that momentum, he might never be world champion.
Pedrosa insisted he was only focused on his own expectations of himself, and believes the likes of new team-mate Marc Marquez and Yamaha returnee Valentino Rossi will have a far greater spotlight.
"I got asked [about Nakamoto's comments] a million times, but I don't read the press or follow the news, so I don't know what is said or not," said Pedrosa.
"I look at myself. There's a lot of expectation about Valentino and about Marquez, but I've been riding bikes for a long time and I know more or less what to expect.
"I focus on what I can do and I know that if I can show my talent every day and have my team with me every day, that's enough."
Although Pedrosa's final tally for 2012 was seven wins and eight other podiums, Jorge Lorenzo's early points lead was too great for him to overcome.
Pedrosa believes he rode well enough to be champion last year and was only denied by Hector Barbera crashing into him at Misano.
"That was a big factor, but that's that," he said.
"I think what was up to me, I did OK and there is nothing else [to do]."
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About this article
| Series | MotoGP |
| Drivers | Dani Pedrosa |
| Teams | AB Motoracing |
| Author | Pablo Elizalde |
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