In a virtual press conference, the 26 year-old rider said that he is “more confident” this year for the championship that starts on 28 March in Qatar, and he is convinced that he will fight for the title.

“Last year I was coming back from a shoulder injury, with a slow recovery process and mentally it is not the same. It gave me more strength but also more insecurity, because I had to prove that I could still ride, compete and be at a good level. This year is different, I come to it in good shape and with confidence”, said Oliveira.

The Portuguese rider, who is entering into his third season in the premier class of the World Speed Championship, revealed that the “approach” for this championship “is a known approach for those who enter into a title dispute”, working “race by race”, trying to “collect as many points as possible”, as this will be “an unknown season, where you don’t know if the calendar will be fulfilled in full or not”.

“Last year the championship was very tight. In a season where there is no clear leader, from someone who isolates himself, it gives the idea to the other drivers that they can fight for the championship. I believe in myself and that I have what it takes to fight for the championship. I need the consistency of a champion. That is what it takes to be champion”, said Miguel Oliveira, who has already been runner up in Moto3 and also in Moto2.

To achieve the goal, he knows that he needs to “improve in qualification”.

“Being further ahead on the grid gives me more opportunities in the race and that is what counts, to add more points. As a starting point, the ideal would be to improve in qualification”, he explained.

The Portuguese driver believes that in 2021 there will be several drivers winning races, after in 2020 there were nine different drivers on the podium.

“Everything will be very open like last year. [Spaniard] Joan [Mir] was the most consistant and so he was the champion, with a lot of merit. He will be one of my strongest rivals, but I don’t like to leave anyone out. There are many strong riders who can fight for wins. But fighting for the championship will be different”, he underlined.

Miguel Oliveira finished the 2020 edition of the MotoGP World Championship in ninth position, with 125 points and two victories, one more than the champion, the Spaniard Joan Mir (Suzuki).

In 2021, the Portuguese rider will fulfil his third season in the premier class of the World Speed Championship, in which he made his debut in 2011 in the 125cc class.

Since then he has achieved 14 victories, six in the Moto3 category, six in Moto2 and two in MotoGP.

In the season that starts on 28 March at the Losail circuit in Qatar, there are 19 races confirmed, including the Portuguese GP, which will again be held in Portimão on 18 April.