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Between the Races: Antonio Banderas
July 14, 2010 by admin
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To most movie fans, Antonio Banderas’ decision to become involved with a Moto2 team this year may have seemed strange, but it makes sense when you think about it: The actor is a native of Spain, where Grand Prix racing is huge, and coming on as a principal in the Jack & Jones by Antonio Banderas squad was a way for him to develop his lifelong passion for bikes. Banderas sat down with the Spanish press prior to the Catalunya Grand Prix two weeks ago, and we were there with a voice recorder. Following are excerpts:
A long-time bike-racing fan, Antonio Banderas welcomed the new Moto2 class by becoming a principal in the Jack & Jones team. • Andrew Northcott photo
On why he likes motorcycles:
I became interested in this little world when, as a youngster, I arrived in Madrid and went to Jarama to see races with Kenny Roberts, Angel Nieto, and others. This sport’s soul is the same as it was then. I think there’s a certain romanticism and independence about it, and I still like the races because now I see my riders fighting, and I try to make them feel good with the team…. It’s very strange and abstract—like a common world and way of thinking. The ritual of riding around Spain on a bike and making the sign of the rider is fantastic! There’s something special about this little world.
On why he became involved in motorcycle racing:
Another team had approached me, but I decided not to accept. If there’s someone to blame for my entering this world, it’s Dani [Devahive, the team manager], because he knew how to push the right buttons in order to convince me. Also, the project interested me; I think that life’s very short, and I like to live it. I like this little world very much…. The subject of money doesn’t interest me, and I’m not with the team for economic reasons…. There are other actors who are fans of bikes as well, like Brad Pitt and George Cloooney, although I don’t think they’ve become involved with teams yet.
On his role with the team:
I’m not anyone’s boss—I help the team with my presence and my image. When I come in the garage, I feel like I do when I come on the set of a film that I’m not in—like I’m hindering things! You’re there in fear, surrounded by people who know exactly what they’re doing. You’re sort of there, but they’re just doing what they do, so I don’t feel like an authority, or even like I have the knowledge to give advice. I don’t know how to do that work.
Like Banderas, Jack & Jones rider has ties to both Spain and the U.S. • Andrew Northcott photo
On the progress of his team:
We haven’t made the podium yet, but I’m very satisfied. We’re still waiting. We knew that this would be a learning year, so there’s no problem…. We have a culture of champions and idols, and unfortunately, it’s a class where a rider makes the pole and then the next race finishes fifteenth. It’s something that people have to understand, and when that happens, I believe they’ll realize that’s how the world of motorsports is supposed to be.
On his plans for the future:
I’d like to continue. We knew we were starting with a new class and a new team, and it hasn’t been easy. I think that for a couple of years, we’ll have to continue in Moto2, but we’ll see what happens in the future with other classes. There could be some surprises.
On growing MotoGP’s popularity in the U.S.:
There’s something about car racing that attracts [American] people that bike racing still doesn’t have. Still, there’s definitely a strong passion for bike racing in the U.S., and you see it at races like Laguna Seca. There are also strong American riders. It’s interesting, and I know Dorna’s trying very hard to grow the sport there…. I’m trying—I’m trying hard—to do my part, and I’m looking forward to Indianapolis, where American fans will get to see Moto2 for the first time this year.
On which rider he’d pick for a MotoGP team:
I’m only thinking about my riders. Everyone would love to have Valentino Rossi, but Spain has been impressive this year. We have the best representation we’ve ever had, but at this moment our riders are Kenny Noyes and Joan Olive, and I’m very satisfied to have them on the team.
Noyes brought Banderas' team its first pole position at Le Mans this year. • Andrew Northcott photo
On Spain’s current success in Grand Prix racing:
Our sport is in a great moment. Who could have predicted just a few years ago that we’d have three drivers in Formula 1 or that [Rafael] Nadal would be number one in the tennis world? Spain has taken a leap forward, and in bikes, after the domination of England and Italy, I think the time of the Spaniards has arrived—not just with motorcycles, but also in tennis, car racing, and sports in general. For those who say it’s become a Spanish championship, I say that we have the best riders in the world. Riders from other countries who want to change that should try to, but at the moment, we’re the best.
On Valentino Rossi’s injury:
It will create a problem if Jorge Lorenzo wins the championship, because some people will say that he wouldn’t have been the champ [if Rossi didn’t get hurt]. I think he’d have won anyway, because he was already doing well, and that would have been something very special. Let’s hope [Rossi] comes back strong next year and that they can go head-to-head and decide it on the asphalt.
On motorcycle racing in movies:
I’d like to do a film on motorcycles, although it would be expensive and would need to have good sponsorship from important companies. Before I went to the U.S., there was a Spanish director who tried to do one about this world, but nothing ever came of it.
On what movie roles he would give Rossi and Lorenzo:
Rossi is sort of a comedian by personality, and Jorge, I don’t know…. I think he could be good in a western—maybe the young bandit.
July 14, 2010 by admin
Filed under Between the Races
Comment ShareThis
To most movie fans, Antonio Banderas’ decision to become involved with a Moto2 team this year may have seemed strange, but it makes sense when you think about it: The actor is a native of Spain, where Grand Prix racing is huge, and coming on as a principal in the Jack & Jones by Antonio Banderas squad was a way for him to develop his lifelong passion for bikes. Banderas sat down with the Spanish press prior to the Catalunya Grand Prix two weeks ago, and we were there with a voice recorder. Following are excerpts:
A long-time bike-racing fan, Antonio Banderas welcomed the new Moto2 class by becoming a principal in the Jack & Jones team. • Andrew Northcott photo
On why he likes motorcycles:
I became interested in this little world when, as a youngster, I arrived in Madrid and went to Jarama to see races with Kenny Roberts, Angel Nieto, and others. This sport’s soul is the same as it was then. I think there’s a certain romanticism and independence about it, and I still like the races because now I see my riders fighting, and I try to make them feel good with the team…. It’s very strange and abstract—like a common world and way of thinking. The ritual of riding around Spain on a bike and making the sign of the rider is fantastic! There’s something special about this little world.
On why he became involved in motorcycle racing:
Another team had approached me, but I decided not to accept. If there’s someone to blame for my entering this world, it’s Dani [Devahive, the team manager], because he knew how to push the right buttons in order to convince me. Also, the project interested me; I think that life’s very short, and I like to live it. I like this little world very much…. The subject of money doesn’t interest me, and I’m not with the team for economic reasons…. There are other actors who are fans of bikes as well, like Brad Pitt and George Cloooney, although I don’t think they’ve become involved with teams yet.
On his role with the team:
I’m not anyone’s boss—I help the team with my presence and my image. When I come in the garage, I feel like I do when I come on the set of a film that I’m not in—like I’m hindering things! You’re there in fear, surrounded by people who know exactly what they’re doing. You’re sort of there, but they’re just doing what they do, so I don’t feel like an authority, or even like I have the knowledge to give advice. I don’t know how to do that work.
Like Banderas, Jack & Jones rider has ties to both Spain and the U.S. • Andrew Northcott photo
On the progress of his team:
We haven’t made the podium yet, but I’m very satisfied. We’re still waiting. We knew that this would be a learning year, so there’s no problem…. We have a culture of champions and idols, and unfortunately, it’s a class where a rider makes the pole and then the next race finishes fifteenth. It’s something that people have to understand, and when that happens, I believe they’ll realize that’s how the world of motorsports is supposed to be.
On his plans for the future:
I’d like to continue. We knew we were starting with a new class and a new team, and it hasn’t been easy. I think that for a couple of years, we’ll have to continue in Moto2, but we’ll see what happens in the future with other classes. There could be some surprises.
On growing MotoGP’s popularity in the U.S.:
There’s something about car racing that attracts [American] people that bike racing still doesn’t have. Still, there’s definitely a strong passion for bike racing in the U.S., and you see it at races like Laguna Seca. There are also strong American riders. It’s interesting, and I know Dorna’s trying very hard to grow the sport there…. I’m trying—I’m trying hard—to do my part, and I’m looking forward to Indianapolis, where American fans will get to see Moto2 for the first time this year.
On which rider he’d pick for a MotoGP team:
I’m only thinking about my riders. Everyone would love to have Valentino Rossi, but Spain has been impressive this year. We have the best representation we’ve ever had, but at this moment our riders are Kenny Noyes and Joan Olive, and I’m very satisfied to have them on the team.
Noyes brought Banderas' team its first pole position at Le Mans this year. • Andrew Northcott photo
On Spain’s current success in Grand Prix racing:
Our sport is in a great moment. Who could have predicted just a few years ago that we’d have three drivers in Formula 1 or that [Rafael] Nadal would be number one in the tennis world? Spain has taken a leap forward, and in bikes, after the domination of England and Italy, I think the time of the Spaniards has arrived—not just with motorcycles, but also in tennis, car racing, and sports in general. For those who say it’s become a Spanish championship, I say that we have the best riders in the world. Riders from other countries who want to change that should try to, but at the moment, we’re the best.
On Valentino Rossi’s injury:
It will create a problem if Jorge Lorenzo wins the championship, because some people will say that he wouldn’t have been the champ [if Rossi didn’t get hurt]. I think he’d have won anyway, because he was already doing well, and that would have been something very special. Let’s hope [Rossi] comes back strong next year and that they can go head-to-head and decide it on the asphalt.
On motorcycle racing in movies:
I’d like to do a film on motorcycles, although it would be expensive and would need to have good sponsorship from important companies. Before I went to the U.S., there was a Spanish director who tried to do one about this world, but nothing ever came of it.
On what movie roles he would give Rossi and Lorenzo:
Rossi is sort of a comedian by personality, and Jorge, I don’t know…. I think he could be good in a western—maybe the young bandit.
