Manuel Gonzalez: The mental transformation of the World Championship leader

Manuel Gonzalez is showing more consistency in 2026 than ever before. The Moto2 World Championship leader has not only taken a huge step forward in terms of his riding this season, but has also fundamentally changed his approach to race weekends.

In an exclusive interview with SPEEDWEEK.com, the Spaniard explains why setting the fastest times in practice hardly matters to him these days, how he and his team have shifted their focus more towards the race itself, and why this newfound composure is helping him in the title fight.

Last year, Canet, Dixon, Vietti and Arbolino were your main rivals. This year, the chasing pack has changed quite a bit. Do you analyse your rivals, or do you prefer to concentrate solely on your own work? We all know each other’s strengths and weaknesses pretty well. We know how everyone rides and how they usually behave in the race. This year, there are five or six riders at a very similar level, and that makes it harder to focus on just one. Before every Grand Prix, depending on the circuit, you can imagine who might be stronger, but then the race weekend decides.

Do you drive differently depending on who’s ahead of you? Yes. Every rider requires a different strategy. Some are very predictable, others less so. With some riders, you know exactly how they’ll react; with others, there’s always a certain element of uncertainty. That experience is also part and parcel of racing.

Moto2-Spitzenreiter Manuel Gonzalez

Foto: Gold and Goose

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07.08.2026 - 10:55

What did you learn from last year that has helped you make this leap? I’ve learnt that you mustn’t fixate too much on the championship as a whole. Last year, at the start of the season, I lost a lot of points in races where I could have scored significantly more. This year, I’m trying to stay much more relaxed and focus exclusively on the next race. My sole aim is to get the most out of this weekend.

Have you also changed the way you work with the team? Very significantly. Now we’re placing a clear emphasis on the race. We’re doing far more laps on used tyres to understand how the bike behaves when it really matters. That gives me a lot of confidence, because on Sunday I go into the race knowing exactly how to manage tyre wear and how the bike will perform during the race.

Even so, a race never goes exactly as you’ve prepared for it. Are you able to improvise? Yes. Experience helps a lot with that. New situations keep cropping up, and you have to adapt. In Hungary, for example, I hadn’t expected Salac to set that pace, and he forced me to completely change my strategy. During a race, you can learn things by following another rider, or tweak small details in your riding style that ultimately make all the difference.

Do you also learn by watching other riders? Of course. I usually ride on my own in training because that’s the best way to work, but when another rider is in front of you, you spot details that aren’t visible from the outside. There are small differences in line choice, braking or acceleration that you only notice when you’re riding behind them.

Moto2-Leader Manuel Gonzalez

Foto: Gold & Goose

You give the impression that you’re driving differently this year. Definitely. My approach to the race weekend has changed significantly.

In what way? I used to want to be the fastest at all times. I wanted to lead in practice and qualifying. Not anymore. My aim is to be first only once the race is over. Everything else is far less important.

But if you’re leading in practice, that also sends a message to your rivals. Yes, but that only lasts for a very short time. You can be first on a Friday, and a few hours later nobody remembers it. If, on the other hand, you win on Sunday, people talk about you all week long. This change in perspective has given me a lot of composure.

Would you say that you used to be too nervous going into a race? Yes. Last year I put a lot of pressure on myself because I always wanted to be at the front. Now, although I still go out on the track to give my best, I’m much more relaxed mentally, and that means I ride better too.

Did you come to this conclusion on your own or with someone’s help? It was a personal realisation. That said, I’ve also been working with a sports psychologist since I was eleven or twelve. The mental aspect has always been very important to me, and I believe it’s one of my strengths.

Do you ever lose your temper? Very rarely. And if I do get annoyed or show it, it’s usually because I’ve made a conscious decision to do so. Not because I’ve actually lost control.