After a great start to the season that included a 2nd place in the sprint race in Austin and a win in the feature race the next day, Alex Rins He seemed to adapt quickly to HRC’s difficult RCV. However, with the arrival of From the world to Europeits positive start was offset by two bad results GGPP in Spain and Francequalified 18th in practice and failed to finish both of Sunday’s races.

Nonetheless, Alex’s numbers show that Rins is having his best moment since he entered MotoGP. Let’s not forget that he ended 2022 by winning two of his last three Grands Prix.

Do you feel that this is the best moment of your career?

No, it’s in pretty good shape. I am performing very well, but I would like to get more regulars. It’s a different bike and everything is different so it’s normal for us to be a bit difficult, but step by step we’re getting there.

Since riding the Honda, each circuit is new and it never feels the same as the Suzuki.

that’s right. It’s not at all. We have to get used to riding this bike and finding the limits on each circuit, especially the new format. P1, P2 and FP3 programs are not trivial at this time.

Considering his impressive performances last season, do you think he deserves a better place in the official team than Mir?

Yes, I was quite surprised. I’m pretty surprised Joan was taken away, but I’m sure there’s an explanation as to why. i didn’t ask In the end we talked a little and they liked Joanne. I’m not saying they made good choices or bad choices.

Looking at the choices Alberto Puig made with Lorenzo, Pol and Alex, it might be better… The riders he chose had a very hard time with the HRC team, so maybe for you may be good.

I talk a lot with Alberto, he helps me.

how?

he’s giving me advice After all, Alberto has a wealth of experience and he tells me a few things that I really appreciate. He has worked with many drivers, as you said, many talented drivers.

This is the first time I’ve raced with an independent team since I came to MotoGP. What is the difference between being on this type of team and being on a factory team?

Indeed, every time I enter the box, fewer people listen to my comments. This is the main difference. Another thing is that I tried it every time news or new works arrived. Now it looks like we have more riders and some of it goes to the Repsol team and the rest goes to me or Taka. I think it’s because they don’t have enough new parts in stock.

In terms of team atmosphere, what is the difference between being in a factory team and being in a team like Luccio?

very similar. Now I have a lot of confidence in my team. When I arrived, they welcomed me with open arms. They are very happy to work with me and I am very happy to be able to work with them. So I think we are doing a great job.

Team Suzuki’s father, Davide Brivio, created a factory team that created a family atmosphere, and later Livio Suppo kept the same vibe. So, isn’t it a big change for you to work in such an environment?

David was trying to build a family team at Suzuki, but right now there aren’t many people from the former Suzuki team talking to me.

Is it because they are somewhere else or because they are no longer in the paddock?

don’t know.

But are you talking about those people?

I am talking about those people.

Do you feel you are lacking support from Honda?

Yes, at first I felt like I wasn’t given much of a challenge. But now there is a lot of support. That’s enough. Like I said before, they don’t have enough pieces for me.

But did the fact that you win in Texas change anything about your relationship with Honda and the support you get?

not the same.

You said Alberto would help you and give you advice, and that means there’s a connection there.

Yes, Alberto is pushing them to give me something and try something new with me, but ultimately Honda has the final say.

So, does Kawauchi’s joining Honda not change anything? Because you are working with him.

nothing changes. He can give advice from experience and information, but not much.

Wouldn’t it have been helpful to have worked with him in the past?

No, I mean, not the fact that it helps or doesn’t. That’s new for Honda, too. He brings experience, but just because I was with him last year doesn’t mean he’ll give me a try.

What’s it like to drive a V4 after driving an inline 4 for 4 years?

The throttle linkage and how the bike turns is a little different. On some tracks you can find something more in your driving style, on others it’s a little more difficult.

What do you think is the main problem with this bike? What is it missing?

For me, the main problem right now is the aerodynamic part. Because it has a lot of wheelies and lacks front support and enough traction to lift the bike.

But in the end, you won in Austin after just three races. Was it a big surprise, or was it simply a combination of Honda doing well at the circuit and also being one of your favorite tracks?

It was a big surprise. We didn’t expect to get a win that weekend. But as you say, this is a track that I like and a track that we prepared very well.

whatDo you think the fact that Marc’s riding style is so extreme drives Honda’s development so radically that it makes the bike so difficult to ride?

This bike is not that difficult. It’s not super easy, but I expected it to be a little more difficult to ride, but not by much.

The team’s predecessor Pol Espargaro explained that he lost confidence up front very early on. That’s why he fell so many times last year. Things that don’t seem to happen to you.

I never felt it. no.

Do you usually talk to Joanne?

Not too many…not because I don’t like him. That’s because we are very busy here. The way of hospitality is different, and we don’t see each other very often.

This championship seems very unpredictable. Do you think it’s related to the new format?

Yes, it may be because of this new format. Maybe it’s because bikes are more equal. Hard to say.

How do you see your future?

This year is a new chapter in my life. Whether it’s racing in independent teams or experimenting as a different kind of support…I focus a lot on the present. To be honest, I don’t think much about the future right now.

Isn’t being on a factory team an obsession for some drivers?

No, I would definitely like to be on the factory team, but I’m not thinking about it at the moment.

Do you think it’s possible for an independent team to become world champions?

OK, so what?