Deniz Öncü analyses the first part of this season after completing his best run of results.

Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rider Deniz Öncü reaches the summer break in fifth place in the standings and tied for fourth after completing the European hat-trick with a hat-trick of podiums. In his best form after a run of three podiums, including his first victory in the class at the German GP, Öncü comments on his goals and feelings about the upcoming races.

You are working with Aki Ajo again this season, what is it like to work with him and how does he help you to improve?
“It’s nice to be here with Red Bull KTM Ajo. The mentality in this team -and especially Aki’s mentality- is very strong. If you are able to keep your feeling with this mentality you can grow a lot, which a lot of riders did in the past and they became champions. I think I’m doing such a good job, trying to be strong and I’m happy with how everything is going”.

You started out as one of the leading riders in testing and in these recent races you have gone from strength to strength. Did you expect a start like this?
“Honestly, I was thinking about fighting for the title from the first race. This year started with a lot of unlucky moments for me and some mistakes, I didn’t have much to do in those situations. This year I’m struggling a lot on the long straights because of my weight, but I’ve been back in the fight for the title in the last few races anyway”.

Do you approach races differently than in previous years?
“I have changed a few things this year, especially how to manage the Grand Prix. What I have changed is being relaxed and not to thinking too much about what is going to happen on track. I’m trying to be cleverer and that has been reflected in the results from the last few races, especially at Sachsenring and Assen”.

Where do you feel stronger?
“I feel stronger than other riders in many aspects. I don’t care which rider goes faster during the weekend because I know that I can fight for the win during the race. Maybe I’m not faster on the straight but I can fight hard on the corners and under braking”.

“I always try to do my best in every session and when everything comes together, we are really strong”.

What aspects do you think you can improve in the coming races?
“I don’t think there is any aspect where we need to improve over others. I think it’s more about small details that we have to work on to be as competitive as possible on Sundays. I always try to do my best in every session and when everything comes together, we are really strong”.

In Germany you finally got your first victory in Moto3. How was that moment?
“Mugello was a bit frustrating for me, but at Sachsenring we finished things in the best way. I was expecting my first victory in Mugello but the main straight hindered us a bit and winning was impossible. At Sachsenring I went for it and it finally happened. I’m really happy with the work we did, and I hope for more wins this season. It was a very special moment for me and for the whole team”.

You took three consecutive podiums in Italy, Germany and the Netherlands. Are you going into the summer break as you expected?
“One thing that I can say is that I’m really proud that I got my first GP victory. This means a lot to me because it was a dream since I was a kid. The season is not over and we still have twelve races to go. It is possible to win the title and I’m pushing for that. Every weekend I focus race by race to get the maximum points possible”.

What are your goals for the rest of the season and what are your plans for the summer break?
“My goal is to fight for the win in every race and, of course, fight for the championship. It’s a long season but I feel very strong and confident that we can do it. I feel very comfortable with the team, we are in good form and starting the summer break in this way is very positive. I’ll take a week off to chill but after this ‘normal week’ I’ll start training hard again to  prepare for the second part of the season”.