RED BULL INDIANAPOLIS GP PRESS CONFERENCE - Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008

MotoGP – Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden, Jorge Lorenzo

MODERATOR: OK, ladies and gentlemen, what a performance, what a day it's been for all three. In second place, Nicky Hayden. The winner here of the inaugural Indy Grand Prix, Valentino Rossi. And for the second race in succession, on the podium, Jorge Lorenzo. (Applause)

OK, obviously we'll start with the race winner, Valentino Rossi. Valentino, I just heard the television interview, you said without a doubt it's the worst conditions you've ever ridden in in a Grand Prix race, and it really did look treacherous out there.

VALENTINO ROSSI: Yes. So it was, for sure, very difficult. And it was a pity because it was a normal race, you know. They did I think a great job on the track. They throw up all the water and is possible to ride the bike in quite good speed and with quite good angle. So at the beginning was quite scared, but anyway, a good race, a good battle. I go in front, I need some lap for overtaking Nicky because at the same point I lose a bit. When I go in front, I was a bit faster. But from that moment, the condition becoming very bad and start to rain strong. So the amount of water going up on the racetrack, but the bigger problem was the wind and become all dark like in the night, all the beer cans, glass pass in front of the bike in the circuit or the grass, also. Was very, very bad, especially because the wind was so unconstant and very strong. You never know what's happen. In the straight you take all the straight from left to right for try to go straight.

Seriously, I have to, I think I have to raise my hand before, but I was in front and I say -- I see that my advantage remain good and going up. So I try to go and every lap I wait for the red flag, red flag, and after arrive I think is the right decision because like this is too dangerous.

MODERATOR: It was just a little doubt. You thought you won the race, everything was fine, then there was a little doubt, the result wasn't confirmed, was it, you might have to go out there again. I could see people were thinking, ‘Oh, my God, we'd never be able to do it.’

ROSSI: Yes, for sure. In my mind, I think when I see the red flag, no way to restart, especially because the wind remain very strong. So the condition was very bad. And restart for eight laps all together with this condition is like when you put one bullet in the gun and you make, "trrrrr," like this, and you try, you know. It was dangerous; I think it was the right decision. (Laughter)

MODERATOR: One big moment, I think you got the tire onto the white line at one point.

ROSSI: Ever some slide for sure, especially at the beginning. Because the condition of Friday was very bad in the wet. Today I think is better but, you know, if you make one mistake in the race, the race is over, so I try to understand the limit. When the wind start to be very strong, I have a wheelie exit from Turn 9, I go a bit wide, I cross the white line and lose control of the bike. I was quite lucky, also, yes.

MODERATOR: Good lead in the championship, we go to Motegi in two weeks time, on the Yamaha, home of Honda. You could clinch the title there, couldn't you?

ROSSI: Yes. Now we have 87-point advantage, and we have the first match point in Motegi in two weeks. In 2005, I have the match point in Motegi for the championship, but unfortunately I make a mistake, and they take Melandri and we crash. So I have a bad memory of this. But I am able to arrive behind Stoner and lose also 11 points. So it is important and also because we lose the championship last year in Motegi. So it is good, and we try for sure.

MODERATOR: Apart from the weather, Indianapolis, they've done us proud, haven't they? It's been a very, very special weekend.

ROSSI: Yes, I love this track because I make the hat trick; pole position, fast effort lap and victory. I was very fast in the dry and the wet. So I like. It is a good track; it is a good place. Unfortunately today the weather is very bad, and I hope for the next year is better weather and more crowd.

MODERATOR: Valentino, congratulations and thank you.

We go to Nicky Hayden, ladies and gentlemen, his first podium this season. What a place to do it on the Repsol Honda. You dug deep for that, Nicky.

NICKY HAYDEN: Yes, it felt good to be out front. It's been a long time since I've been near the front, much less led a race. Man, it felt really good to be in the lead. Felt quite good and comfortable there. And I was thinking, you know, this only happens in the movies, you know, your home race with missing the last two to come back and win in the rain. But I was able to stay focused, but Valentino came past and had a little bit more speed than me, especially through Section 3. But then when he touched the line on the back straight away and I think: ‘You know what? Maybe I'm OK,’ and I was able to make up a little more ground. Then when it started raining heavy, I was in trouble because when it dried, I used a lot of tire and I had no tread left on part of the left side of the tire. When it started to rain heavy again, it was so gnarly. But I held on. Sure, home race, you think, sure, you dream about winning but, honestly I shouldn't be too greedy with how things have went, t ake this second and enjoy it. A big thanks to my team, all my guys, my friends, my family, everybody who sticked with me and through tough times, and that's important. We came here, and I gave the maximum. I can't say I left much on the table today. That's how it's supposed to be. All in all, I need to try to enjoy this one.

MODERATOR: There's no way you could have gone out there again, was there?

HAYDEN: Well, no -- well, because the air fence, no. It was pretty treacherous. Part of me thought, hey, let's line back up and try again because in the beginning when it was really wet, I'm not leading the championship, so I don't have nothing to worry. I thought, you know, just give one more try at it. But it was the right thing to do. It was really tough conditions, especially with the wind. Because you would be on a dry line and all of a sudden it would hit you and blow you off onto the wet spot. It was tough, I think that's why you see three world champions or four of them in the top four when things get tough.

Big thanks to the fans, we only had to be out in the wet for an hour, they've been out there a lot of them since Thursday, and for everybody for making this thing happen, Indy, Red Bull. A lot of people worked really hard and for me to be able to race so close to home is a great feeling. I enjoyed it.

MODERATOR: Indianapolis has done a tremendous job for MotoGP, haven't they?

HAYDEN: Yeah, they have. It's not something that just happened. A lot of people worked hard to make it happen. The fans came out and supported it. Sure, maybe we can make some things better but actually, I like the track. In those conditions earlier, it didn't matter where we was at, we wasn't going to be able to start the race. You know, it was just too much water. But yeah, maybe sure, work on the draining and a few things to improve. But, yeah, big thanks to everybody who made this happen.

MODERATOR: Four more races for you with Honda. I think you showed today whatever happens at the end of the season, you're going to be riding very hard indeed until the change comes.

HAYDEN: Oh, yeah. I mean, no doubt about that. I think anybody who knows me knows that. I'm not going to give up. I mean, I would just be hurting myself. It's not like, like I said the other day, I'm planning on finishing the season strong. You know, I owe it to Honda. They have been a big part of my career, and I've been with them for a long time, especially my mechanics. I mean, I think they certainly have not given up on me one bit, know what I've done. It would be real easy for them to slack off early and get on out of here, you know, pretty quick after the session, hurry up, hurry through the bikes and go for a cold beer. But they've just worked as hard now as they did in the middle of 2006. I'm really grateful for that.

MODERATOR: Thanks, Nicky. Congratulations. Good to see you back on the podium.

HAYDEN: It's good to be here.

MODERATOR: Thank you. Third place, ladies and gentlemen, his second podium in succession, Jorge Lorenzo. Jorge, first time you've been on the podium in the wet your whole career.

JORGE LORENZO: Yeah, it is true. It is true because also in the Spanish Championship I haven't got any podium, European Championship, also, no podium in the rain. And I think in the Balioto Championship, also, no podium. (Laughter)

I was so, personally I didn't want to race before the race because I was so safe in my motor home and so hot with Hector that I thought I prefer not to race. The organization has done a big work, and the track was quite good at the first sector. I was surprised all the race because in the start I got a good start, so I thought, ‘OK, I know how to start, no?’ Is good. And after in the second lap, I pass Dani and I know I can go fast in the rain, and also in the third I passed Dovizioso, and I thought, ‘Good, no?’ After I passed Valentino, it's amazing in the rain. (Laughter)

But then Valentino passed me again, and I wanted to follow him, was impossible. Also, Nicky was fast. And the race has been complicated at the middle. The wind has come and the rain, also, raining more. And was OK. Was not perfect because I wanted to finish second, but it's OK because Yamaha is, again, have two people on the podium and we are leading the World Championship constructor. And I'm fine.

MODERATOR: Michelin tires, they've taken a real bashing this year, haven't they? But Nicky second, you third, they did very well, didn't they, in the rain?

LORENZO: Yes, I said yesterday Michelin is a good tire. But the problem is that Bridgestone is a very good tire in this moment. So to be at the same level or to pass them, we have to work, Michelin have to work harder. I know they are working hard, but harder, more harder. So I don't know, at the end of the season if we can do more podiums or even better. But come on, Michelin. (Laughter)

MODERATOR: Motegi coming up, after what has happened today, you may want a wet race in Motegi over a dry race.

LORENZO: What? (Laughter)

MODERATOR: You may want a wet race in Motegi now you've done so well in the rain.

LORENZO: In Motegi, I hope not to rain. Rains is better now because I have the one podium.

MODERATOR: Congratulations, Jorge, on the podium second week in succession.

Ladies and gentlemen, questions from the floor. Put your hand up and we can get a mike over to you.

Q: Nicky, I wonder if you could talk about what went through your mind as Valentino was catching you, and did you know how close he was? And did you know that he was pressuring you for that long?

HAYDEN: Well, yeah, I have a pit board that tells me that information. So, I mean, I knew who it was. But I was on the limit pretty good, but also I knew I had a little bit soft -- actually, I changed tires after the sighting lap. I had on a little bit harder. I mean, I knew the rain was supposed to stop, but in a lot of places on the oval, the water was still draining across the track. I mean, we last minute put in one a little bit softer. I have too many times in my life thought, ‘I'll wait and let it come in,’ and the rain is so important to just get your position early and then go for it. So I knew he was coming, but I tried to be smooth and not just destroy my tire. You know, there's a few places on this track you can hear quite easy when somebody is behind you. And, you know, I mean Vale, he likes to put that pressure on, but I held my line. Once he closed up on me a little bit, I changed a few things to try to make sure I was getting all the corners good and at least m aking him work for it.

Q: Valentino, what does it mean to you now to be the winningest rider in MotoGP history?

ROSSI: So I'm the first one in 100 years. It is quite special, yes. This track, the real track, the real oval is for other type of race, but racing in the, in this track with MotoGP, I hear that Indianapolis have just the top class of all the motorsports. So from Indy to NASCAR and now in motorcycle we have MotoGP. So it's important. It is something right on the history. But especially I'm so happy because I like the track, and I think in the next years we can make, we come back, so is important to have another good track instead of a bad track. I learn the track during the weekend very early, so especially I'm so happy for this.

Q: The question for Jorge. I am from Argentina. Did you find something special or you have an inspiration today? Because in the last laps you was following Nicky very hard but very solid riding, no crazy riding. So you find something in the setup or was it a good day on the bike?

LORENZO: Yeah, special day, I think. (Laughter) I don't know, you think it's a special day?

Q: No, I am asking you if you find the setup --

LORENZO: For sure, it's close to a special day because it is my first podium in the rain in all my career.

Q: OK, because, you know, it's --

LORENZO: No, I think I was getting closer to Nicky because he was -- increase his pace very much, no, Nicky? Because the tire --

HAYDEN: Don't remind me. (Laughter)

Q: OK, thank you.

LORENZO: Thank you.

Q: How about the record?

ROSSI: Is a lot better than equal for sure. (Laughter) But yes, anyway, 69 is a great number. (Laughter) Because he (Hayden) have it. (Laughter) No, no, just for it means a long time at the top level, but I want to try to make a bit better, make a better number, yes.

Q: Valentino, can you talk about racing with Nicky that was kind of a special thing, especially here under these circumstances?

ROSSI: It is great. I always enjoy with Nicky and looks like we do good times. Like three, four years ago we did a lot of great battle. So Nicky, growing up very close to me because the first year he was my teammate at HRC Honda, and I remember him coming first time from U.S., and he was very desperate. I say Nicky, Nicky, quiet, quiet. (Laughter)

It is like this, it is a bit different compared to U.S. But he is always strong and a great battle guy and for overtaking -- I mean a lot of lap, I say already to him the brake was very strong because everybody want to stay in front, so we stayed together very close and for I think 50 meters and is possible because anyway Nicky is very wide, very aggressive but also very clean. So I enjoy.

Q: Valentino, Agostini's record held for a very long time, more than 30 years. Was he an influence or hero of yours growing up?

ROSSI: I don't want to say my hero because I don't remember Ago race, so I never seen, just 20 years later in television. But he was the No. 1, somebody say is Agostini, somebody say Mike Hailwood. But anyway, about numbers, Ago is the greatest and have some other record of Ago like 122 victory and especially 15 championship that for me maybe is impossible, but beat him in the number of race in the premier class is great. I hope this record remain for another 30 years, yes. (Laughter)

MODERATOR: Anybody else, ladies and gentlemen? One here.

Q: Nicky, did your heel give you any trouble on the bike today at all?

HAYDEN: No, zero. I mean in the rain in front of that crowd and here at home, I mean, honestly I never felt it. And even here qualifying, I can't say it really, I mean slowed me down one bit. Sure, it's probably going to feel pretty good in the morning, but for now no problem.

Q: Do you have any sort of prognosis in terms of how long you're going to be with a cane or crutches?

HAYDEN: You know, I'm a rider, so I'm about over the crutches. So as long as my trainer is not around, crutches are getting pretty old. Really, I could put pressure on it but when you put pressure on it, like I explained the other day, it pushes right into where the brake is and it's just going to take longer and longer. So I feel like a fool walking around like I'm trying to make a big show because normally you see people -- yeah, I'm sure it looks kind of silly, but as long as I hurry up and heal and be done with it, I'll be happy. But I don't want to use it as an excuse or nothing because in the rain I had plenty of strength and it's not an issue.

Q: Valentino --

ROSSI: Sorry.

Q: That's all right. I don't want to interrupt if you guys want to talk. Even though the race ended early, eight laps early, did you feel like you still earned it based on the conditions?

ROSSI: I don't understand, sir.

Q: Even though the race ended early, eight laps, because of all you had to deal with, did you feel like it was a grueling 20 laps to have to get what you got?

ROSSI: Yes, I think I deserve because I was very fast in the normal conditions. Like I say, it was a great battle with Nicky, but maybe was a bit faster than him in the normal wet. Anyway, I growing up my advantage, also, when the condition become very, very strong. So for sure, I think for me it's possible to make another eight laps without a problem but become very, very dangerous.

Q: Nicky, can you talk about what it was like to race in front of another home crowd and also what you think this race, having a second GP race in the United States means for MotoGP's success in this country?

HAYDEN: You know, I've really enjoyed racing in front of the crowds, people think extra pressure and it's hard. But I always try the maximum. It's not like you can give more at other races, but it seems like at home it's always something special. And I really through my career felt like I've done better under a lot of pressure. Laguna has always been good to me, Daytona, some of the bigger races. I feel like I can rise up to the challenge, not always, but I enjoy racing in front of my crowd. I've got family here I don't think ever seen me road race. So that's pretty cool, and I think it's huge for MotoGP in America. This is a big market. I mean, California and Laguna Seca is kind of cool, but we're in the heartland here. There's a big audience around this area even though Indianapolis is not so big, there's a lot of major cities in the area. Yeah, I mean, I think it's a big, big opportunity for our sport, and I think it's important. There is a lot of bike fans in America but also a lot of sponsorship dollars here in America that I think we need to get into. So hopefully it will help attract some of the sponsors.

Q: Question for Valentino. There's been very many disappointed girls because you said if you won the race you were going to run naked down the home straight.

HAYDEN: Yes, yes, I do remember, also. (Laughter)

Q: I just wonder what happened after that Thursday comment.

ROSSI: The idea was from Colin (Edwards), I remember. (Laughter) And Friday night they say to me, and they say maybe it's better for everybody that if I win my umbrella girl get naked on the straight. (Laughter)

MODERATOR: Another one here.

HAYDEN: Or all of them.

Q: Nicky, you've all talked about the danger of the win but could you just describe a little bit more what you feel on the bike in those kind of gusty conditions?

HAYDEN: The gusty is certainly the problem. I mean, one time through Turn 5 I was right online pretty good, and I hit a big gust and it blew me out just immediately into the deep spots. So, I mean, we're riders, we've all ridden in the rain before. I mean, you just couldn't use the edge of the track. Like braking at the end of the back straightaway, you had to leave a little bit of extra room because when we would go past the guardrail, it would get you in a little bit of room. More I was looking out of the corner of my eye for the air fence, you can deal with the beer cans and the bags, but there's a lot of stuff out there that was moving and flags and trees. I was just keeping an eye up and make sure nothing too big came up there. Because, I mean, it probably felt stronger than it was, I don't know. I thought at times it was blowing pretty good.

Q: Nicky, yesterday night you were enjoying the mile dirt track. How did it feel to return to the place that you grew up as a rider?

HAYDEN: Yeah, I've ridden a lot more -- I've never ridden Indianapolis road race; this is the first time for us. So yeah, I enjoyed the dirt track last night. That was the first Grand National I've seen in a lot of years. It was a good show. I didn't -- yeah, I enjoyed it, you know. But I'm a racer, I don't like to be at a race watching even though they were getting it on pretty good last night. But I would have liked to have rid own but with this whole X Games things, it's probably not a good time to ask. (Laughter) Asking for extra riding right now is probably not going to go over real well. So I better just focus on my job.

MODERATOR: Any more, ladies and gentlemen? No? Everybody is happy? OK, hit the road. Want to get those leathers off and get in the dry. Congratulations, everybody. See you in Japan. Thank you. (Applause)