I'll start by talking about Spa, where YART won a 24-hour race for the first time in 14 years, and it was also the first time for me to do it in my career. I'm so glad I got to be a part of something like that. I've come close many times in the past but never done it. This time everything came together perfectly and it was just a great race. I was so happy that I almost cried, and in that moment all the pressure was gone, all the tiredness was gone, and it might be the best moment of my life so far.
We also got 2nd place in the first round, so I can say that the season is going well so far. I think it's because all three of us are doing our jobs well, and at a similar level. As you can see from the close lap times, we're always getting the maximum performance out of the bike. Also, Yamaha Europe and others worked hard over the winter to improve our R1, which is also very important for us. We can now go even faster without putting strain on the engine.
In the pre-event test, the first thing we had to do was just get used to the track, and one reason for that is because Suzuka has more grip than European circuits, so you can lean the bike really far and you can ride faster, but it's also tougher on the body. Besides getting used to it, we were able to do a lot, like working on electronics, adjusting the riding position, and tire selection. We had a chance to ride in the wet and understand the grip levels.
Thanks to our YZF-R1, we're always fast. It gives us an advantage with its handling and it also has a lot of torque coming out of corners, which I think is its strength. We did get a lot done in the test, but there are still some areas where we can improve for the race. So, leading up to the race weekend we'll continue to make the bike even faster and easier to ride.
The Suzuka 8 Hours is coming up soon. This is one of the most important races for Yamaha, and because we're representing Yamaha here, this will be the most important race of the season for me, my teammates, and the whole team. That's why I want to win here. Realistically though, the the 8-Hours-only teams are super fast, so our focus has to be getting the most points toward winning the EWC title. My main goal is to be on the podium at the 8 Hours, because that's something that YART hasn't done yet. That's what I feel I need to achieve as a member of this team and as a representative of Yamaha.
Last year, sadly we missed out on the podium. I still remember how I felt at the time. In racing sometimes you're lucky and sometimes you're not. Right after the crash, Marvin was feeling really down and I felt sad too, but I supported him as much as I could because he's dating my sister and we're almost like family.
This year we'll try not to repeat the same mistake. I think we have the potential to consistently be in the top positions, but it's also important for us to focus on ourselves and on staying safe. That being said, I feel like if we continue working like we have been, a top-three finish is definitely possible.
For me, Japanese fans are the best in the world. It's such a special feeling to get their great love and support, and it makes me feel like I can do even more, just for the fans. So, I have to say to all the Yamaha and YART fans, we need you to come to Suzuka and support us!
Back to