PENNESI EAGER TO PLEASE HOME FANS
There is no place like home for Marco Pennesi. While he is delighted to be racing in familiar surroundings, the Italian admits that particular scenario does bring with it its own pressures.
The Powerboat P1 World Championship this weekend heads to San Benedetto del Tronto - the home of the Metamarine boat-building company - founded by Marco Pennesi - since its formation in 2001.
“Sure, I get excited,” reflects the Metamarine Pignolo 53 driver. “This is normal as I am very happy when we race on home territory as I will have my friends and fellow neighbours all watching and supporting me and the team.
“However, there is also great responsibility when you race at home as there is a desire from everyone to perform well. I care about how they feel. Of course this expectation brings with it great pressure - especially the days before in the lead up to the Grand Prix of the Sea.
“But if we are to get a good result in the races, then there will be much joy and happiness,” adds the 49-year-old.
Last year’s opening round of the P1 World Championship took place in San Benedetto del Tronto and securing a podium place in that event remains one of Pennesi’s career highlights.
“This race will always be special to me because of what I felt at the start of the 2008 season. I had never experienced adulation like this in my life. Being on the podium, seeing all the people who are constantly asking you for an autograph - just wonderful. It was a great event during the action and following the racing. This year I hope to do well, get a good result, and give plenty of satisfaction to all of my supporters.”
Pennesi also revealed to Powerboat P1 that Luca Nicolini - brother of Cigarette Smash Poker throttle man Matteo - will replace Max Ferrari in the boat this weekend. Ferrari has work commitments but Pennesi is confident that Luca will stamp his own authority on the team.
Following the Metamarine Pignolo 53’s untimely crash during practice Valletta, Pennesi is now “100% sure” both the boat and himself are safe and ready to take Evolution-class points.
“Yes, the boat is safe. Indeed, during reconstruction, we took the time to make further improvements to the boat. “I think the boat will be great in San Benedetto del Tronto. We carried out some tests with Luca [Nicolini] on Sunday and everything seems ok.
“Am I ok personally? Physically, I am nearly ok. I still have mental scars from the accident but when I am in the water I forget everything. After the ugly accident in Malta, something changed in my head. I maybe did not think properly before, but today I try to reflect and find the right solution.
“We cannot forget that I was close to a disaster and something inside me remains. I usually did not brake when I was driving at 200km/h, but now I think about it more.”
Pennesi has been impressed by the level of competition in this year’s P1 World Championship. “We have made many improvements, but I have to say all of the boats have improved so much. Today we are at a level where you cannot call the boats as such.
“They are weapons!”
If one of their own is using such a vivid analogy the Grand Prix of the Sea in Italy is certain to be an epic worth watching.
ITALIANO:
1: E’ normale che io sia molto felice perchè corro in casa e ho tutti i miei amici, i miei concittadini vicini. Ma c’è anche una grande responsabilità, che quella appunto di correre in casa, perché vuoi fare bella figura. Ci tieni. Mettiamoci anche che dopo il brutto incidente di Malta, qualcosa è cambiato nella mia testa. Prima non pensavo mai, oggi invece rifletto e cerco di trovare la giusta soluzione. Non possiamo dimenticare che sono andato vicino ad un disastro e qualcosa dentro ti rimane. Io prima non frenavo a 200 all’ora, oggi magari ci penso.
2: Speciale perché quello che ho provato l’anno scorso non l’avevo mai provato in vita mia. Stare sul podio, vedere tutta quella gente che ti chiama che ti chiede un autografo. Bellissimo. Fu uno spettacolo unico in gara e fuori, e anche quest’anno spero di fare bella figura, di ottenere un bel risultato e dare soddisfazione a tutta la mia gente.
3: Pressione ne avverti tanta. Soprattutto i giorni prima. Poi se ottieni un buon risultato, ne senti tanta di gioia e felicità. Tra l’altro esordirò con un nuovo pilota, verrà Luca Nicolini visto che per seri impegni di lavoro, Max Ferrari non potrà venire.
4: Penso che i sistemi di punteggio di quest’anno siano forse un pochino strani. Qualcuno lo ipotizzava, io non ci davo retta, ma devo dire che in realtà è avvantaggiato chi arriva sempre a fine gara. Infatti in testa alla classifica c’è una barca non certo eccellente. Ma oggi si premia chi arriva ed è difficile recuperare degli zero in classifica come successo a me a Malta e a Cangiano a Istanbul. Nel P1 sta accadendo come in F1 dove la Ferrari è dietro e team minori sono davanti.
5: Al 100% sicuro è la barca. Anzi, nella ricostruzione abbiamo approfittato per fare modifiche migliorative come assetto e in tutto il resto. Io al 100? Fisicamente manca poco, anche se mentalmente qualche residuo dell’incidente c’è, anche se poi come arrivi in acqua dimentichi tutto.