Dovizioso: MotoGP championship picture changes nothing

Andrea Dovizioso says his significant MotoGP world championship points deficit to leader Marc Marquez changes nothing about his approach to each race as he looks to maintain momentum from a much-needed win in Brno last time out.

The Ducati rider claimed victory for the first time since the 2018 season opener in the Czech Republic with points leader Marquez taking third place. Despite trimming the gap to the Repsol Honda rider the difference between the two remains a considerable 68 points, with 19 points splitting Dovizioso in third place in the riders' standings from Movistar Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi.

Dovizioso says the championship situation makes no difference to his focus on the Austria MotoGP round, having claimed a dramatic victory at the Red Bull Ring 12 months ago, and wants to concentrate on maximising his GP18 package to be competitive at every round.

“I believe that to recover a lot of points to Marc is very difficult,” Dovizioso said. “Before thinking that we have to improve our situation.

“It is really good but I think we are still missing something so until we are really good in every area it is difficult to recover a lot of points to Marc.

“Marc in a bad situation is still on the podium so it is difficult. We know in MotoGP everything is possible so the mentality is this so until the end we will fight but I am more focused on that before the championship.”

Dovizioso has dismissed the idea of pressure impacting his early season prospects, with three DNFs in the space of four races wrecking his title charge, and feels equally with less pressure due to the points gap it won’t change his mental approach.

“From the beginning of the season with the high pressure from last year I felt good,” Dovizioso said having been one of the favourites for the title at the start of 2018. “I don’t think that was the problem. 

“It didn’t change my approach and I will not change my approach during the weekend so it is always the same, trying to work for the race. From Brno we have a chance to work in a better way and we will try to work in the same way.”