Q & A with Dani Pedrosa

In his pre-weekend press briefing at Silverstone the 24-year-old Spaniard gave his thoughts on the new track, his chances of back-to-back wins and his strategy for fighting out the title. AUTOSPORT was there to hear what he had to say.

Q. First time at Silverstone, what's your first impressions of the track?

Dani Pedrosa: I just did some laps with the scooter. I see already that the track is fast. It has three or four very long straights. The new part has some very fast and very slow corners. But in general I think it is a fast track. I have just tried to get the impression of which gears are in which corners more-or-less to get a starting point for tomorrow.

Q. How much momentum can you carry forward in the coming races?

DP: I like to have this basis like in Mugello and go on but it is difficult to say. For example, here we will try not to touch the bike so much. First I will get into a rhythm, learn the braking points, the gears. In this grand prix, each practice lap the times will be faster. So the best approach is to have a clear idea of the track in mind and not play around with the bike too much. For the next GPs I hope what we found in Mugello works.

Q. What's your feeling on the impact Valentino Rossi's crash in Mugello had on the championship?

DP: He left Lorenzo alone on the top of the championship with a big lead. It looks a pretty easy ride for him. For me I just have to keep trying. Sure without Rossi you have one more spot in the top three free, because he was always there. But the championship still is the championship, you have to fight against your rivals, against the bike sometimes, against the track, the conditions and external things.

Rossi was a big thing but still there are many things to consider if you want to win the championship.

Q. Has it changed your approach to the championship?

DP: Of course I have to fight against Lorenzo and try to make it correct. Without Rossi you have one spot left there, because he was not behind. So everyone that was behind him can move up a place.

Q. Do you think it is now between you and Jorge, rather than more of you fighting for the title?

DP: You never know. Last week it was like this, and now it is like that. What's next? Nobody knows. Racing is racing and that's why it is so interesting because you never know.

Q. Your season has been all about momentum, does that give you real hope about being back in the championship race?

DP: If I can keep my pace, my rhythm and keep it at the level of last week, yes. If I then start to go up and down then that is not so good. At this moment I have two and two - two good, two bad - so I am just trying to make another good result. Of course my will is yes.