Dani Pedrosa on why he’s the faithful type

Exclusive: Fresh from signing a new deal, and ready for his 250th GP, Pedrosa talks to RedBull.com.

Dani Pedrosa is set to pass a career milestone this weekend, as he gets ready for his 250th GP start at Mugello.

There'll be plenty more starts to come too, as confirmed by the news this week that the Spaniard has re-signed to continue with the Repsol Honda team for another two years.

On the eve of the Italian GP, RedBull.com sat down for a chat with Dani…

Congratulations on renewing with Honda. How did you come to make the decision?
Because this is a strong team that's still one of the strongest, even when it’s not in its best moment. I know the whole team very well, I feel at ease with them and I’m very happy with the decision I’ve made.

There’s been speculation for weeks over a switch to KTM, even Yamaha…

It was all true and they were all very interesting options, but I weighed everything up and I believe staying [with Honda] was the best choice for me. You could say I’m the faithful type!

You’ve won 28 MotoGP races, more than the likes of Wayne Rainey, Kevin Schwantz and Kenny Roberts, but when will a title come?

To win the championship you need everything to go well. I had a couple of good seasons in which I could’ve done it, but in the end something always went wrong. These things come when they come. I’ll keep trying.

What’s your strength? Concentration?Yes, although I must say it’s difficult to always achieve that. At the beginning it’s very natural, but then it’s something you need to train, as with the physical side of things.

You’ve got a very ‘zen’ way of approaching the sport…Yes, but I have to do a lot of work on the physical preparation side, because I’m very small for these bikes. But I also give thought to the mental side too.

Have you got any regrets?

Accidents. The most annoying was the one at Misano [2012], when I could've won the World Championship.

What are your thoughts on Michelin?I think it’s still difficult for them to create the perfect tyre for all tracks, for all bikes, and especially given how few tests there are. Where the new electronics use the tyres up faster, the old [electronics] allowed more control and for them [Michelin] it would’ve been easier, I think.

What’s your relationship with Marc Márquez like?Good, but he's a rival, my main rival. It’s a tricky situation. We’ve seen what happened between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg recently [in F1]. I get along with Marc, but I want to beat him.

Take Casey Stoner and Marc Márquez. What’s the key difference between them?They’re very different but both very strong. Stoner was much more focused on himself, Marc’s very strong on the track, but he also has an eye on what the others are doing.

What makes you proudest about your career to date?To have done so many things that other people thought I wouldn’t be able to; for example, my path in MotoGP. I have to say I had my own doubts at the start, but in the end I can say I’ve overcome them.

Keep up with how Dani Pedrosa marks his 250th start and other news from Mugello by checking RedBull.com for the latest MotoGP updates.

MotoGP Le Mans: Keeping Pedrosa, Marquez is a ‘priority’ for Honda Team Principal

Repsol Honda Team Principal Livio Suppo has today stated that he would like both Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez to remain in his team for next season. Reports in the media have suggested that Pedrosa could make a move to the Movistar Yamaha garage for 2017.

Meanwhile Maverick Vinales has also been linked to the vacant Yamaha seat, but reports have also emerged that Suzuki may have retained the services of the rider for another year. But it is expected that news of Vinales future in MotoGP will be revealed soon.

With rumours surrounding the paddock concerning Pedrosa’s future, and possible interest with Yamaha, Suppo is just concentrating on the team’s aims for 2017, which include both of his current rider’s. He has spoken to Pedrosa and his manager who have told him that their priority is to remain with the Repsol team.

“Our priority is to renew with Dani, as well as of course with Marc. At the moment Dani and his manager told us their priority is to remain so I trust them and I think it is rumours,” said Suppo at the track today.

“We know the value of Dani and we know the team with Dani and Marc is a very balanced and competitive team. In the end it is always the rider’s decision, if he needs to find new motivation after many years with Honda try to find another opportunity I would understand, but at the moment it doesn’t sound like this. [When asked if his ideal line-up for next year would be the existing line up] yes, yes.”