‘The aim? To be first!’
Luca Marini is much more than Valentino Rossi’s brother. He’s a fully paid-up member of the MotoGP elite on the hunt for his debut victory...
About to embark on his third season in MotoGP, Luca Marini is no longer the shy kid who once averted the gaze of the media answering every question with just a few words. He is no longer one of the many young riders who can only dream of making it into the racing world. And above all he is no longer just Valentino Rossi’s younger brother. Instead he is a racer who, through hard work, intense commitment and perseverance, has proved he belongs among the MotoGP elite.
And this year, during the summer break, he will also no longer be a bachelor, but the husband of Marta Vincenzi, the girl he has known since his Tavullia school days.
How do you imagine your life will change when you get married?
LM: I hope not too much, because I like this life. And, if it has to change, I hope it will be for the better.
Your story seems almost like a movie. You met at school and now you’re going to spend your life together...
LM: I have always dreamt of such a story since I was a child. I consider myself very lucky. Marta arrived in Italy from Poland when she was six years old, she was my schoolmate from the second grade and from that moment we always spent time together. In secondary school we were together, although she denies it, because she says that’s it was too early to be boyfriend and girlfriend! But even though I was only 12, for me I was her boy. Then we drifted apart a bit, but without ever really losing each other. She had her experiences, I had mine... And at the right time (it will be six years in February) we found each other once again.
Who made the first move?
LM: I was very shy at the time – very, very shy, I had difficulty establishing relationships with people, was very closed, afraid to make the first move. So, in the end she made it. I waited, she waited, then at a certain point she took the initiative. I was very small, very childish, she won me over by the fact that she was beautiful and that we had known each other forever. For me it was a beautiful story even then, but the thing I like most is that since the day we got together, we have grown so much, everything has changed. And it has changed for the better.
So, if you’re less shy today, the credit is due to her?
LM: Very much so, she always encourages me to open up to people, to improve who I am.
And looking to the future would you like children?
LM: I must say that I have never felt ready even for marriage, but in recent years I have grown up, matured. I would like to have children not too late, certainly not as late as Valentino did!
What kind of father is Valentino?
LM: I don’t know, we haven’t spent much time together with Giulietta also present. Living elsewhere, now I go less to his house and to my mum’s, but he seems like he’s doing a great job of being a daddy.
He seems to have adapted to his change of life well...
LM: Only Vale can know if the moment to stop was right or not, but I thought he might struggle. Instead, I saw him really relaxed, calm and happy. I didn’t expect it, because when you’re used to doing this all your life, being at home is different. But he’s found a replacement because the car racing is really tough.
Tell us something you love that has nothing to do with racing?
LM: Does the PlayStation count?
No, because there you play with motorcycles or cars!
LM: OK, then I like to stay at home a lot. But I also like travelling, visiting new places, changing, trying new restaurants. Although in the end I always go back to the places I like, because if I feel good, then I find it hard to change.
Do you read?
LM: I always try to read a bit, at home at night before going to bed, but especially when I fly or when I’m at races. I like books that can teach you something, the ones that you re-read and they leave you with something inside that makes you grow. If I have to take a complete break, then I read fantasy books, to train my imagination a bit, since I am sometimes lacking it.
During the 2022 season, people were starting to say: “Look at Marini, he’s there with the MotoGP big guns!”...
LM: Yes, I am very happy. I see that there has been a big change towards me. From the journalists and from the fans. I like that.
You always said that being Valentino’s brother wasn’t a big pressure. But it’s hard to imagine that wasn’t the case...
LM: True, it has its upsides and downsides. Yes I am compared against him, but being the brother of the greatest rider in history, you have the advantage that everyone else is also compared against him! When you talk about Pecco, Marquez, Lorenzo, Dovizioso, Quartararo, you inevitably compare them all with my brother, because Vale made the sport what it is.
Looking to 2023, if everything is in place what is your target?
LM: To be in first place. Simple as that.
Will it take long?
LM: That I don’t know, it doesn’t depend only on me.
Will it be a disappointment if you don’t make the podium this year?
No. It would mean that for certain reasons it didn’t happen. I always see the glass half full, otherwise you end up harming yourself.
‘I’m compared to Vale, but so is everyone else’
LUCA MARINI
‘There’s been a big change of attitude towards me’’
LUCA MARINI