Valentino Rossi's retirement seems closer than ever. Indeed, this difficult start to the season leaves no doubts, especially for a competitive driver like Vale. With the development of VR46 Academy, will he follow in the footsteps of Giacomo Agostini and Kenny Roberts?
Analysis.
For several years, the message has been clear: The legendary Rossi's wish is to transmit. In partnership with the British telecommunications company Sky, its teams
Moto3 et Moto2 met and still meet with great success.
Franco Morbidelli, Francesco Bagnaia et Luca marini are currently spearheading the project. The first was titled 2 Moto2017 world champion with the team MarcVDS, but was then part of the academy. The other two signed their exploits with black machines, stamped with the logo “ VR46 ».
Neither Agostini nor Kenny Roberts have been present in this way during their racing careers. What we see is absolutely unprecedented, and could well become sprawling in a few years. To put things in context, let’s study the case of the two champions previously mentioned.
Following his career (1964-1977), Ago turned to Yamaha; the official team was entrusted to him in 1982. The change was immediate. In addition to teaching Kenny Roberts the trade, he won three world driver championship titles thanks to Eddie lawson. The desire for a challenge pushed him to explore another avenue, starting from scratch or almost.
Agostini alongside Doug Chandler at Cagiva, during the 1993 Australian Grand Prix. Photo: Stu Newby
“King Ago” focused on the epic Cagiva from 1992 to 1994. Indeed, the beautiful Italian was difficult to understand, but Giacomo's professionalism and expertise helped the reds and grays considerably. It was under his leadership that the team achieved its first (and last) successes, helped by Eddie lawson and John Kocinski. Agostini will have, during his managerial career, blown up great drivers, Graeme Crosby
à Alex Crivillé via Luca Cadalora.
Ultimately, Roberts' story is similar. After his three consecutive world titles, his career quickly shifted towards management. Just like Agostini, the official Yamaha team was entrusted to him. What follows are titles in spades, as well as great drivers propelled to the highest level (Wayne Rainey, or his son Kenny Jr.).
His influence extended until the 2000s, when he decided to enter his own machines in the world championship, the Honda-powered KRs. An inconclusive experience which had the merit of existing.
Where does Valentino Rossi fit into all this? Ultimately, his destiny seems quite far from these predecessors. The Italian seems more likely to launch its own structure, financed by a third entity (in this case the oil giant Saudi Aramco for 2022), and supported by a manufacturer,
Ducati
The relationship with its pilots contrasts with everything that existed before. Rossi rides with his people, trains them, guides them and appears as a mentor more than a “boss”. In the eyes of history, this family vision does not always pay off, but too few similar examples exist to draw conclusions.
Like Valentino Rossi, Kenny Roberts was interested in all motor sports, proof of a great sporting culture. Here alongside the great Jan Lammers at the 1 Dutch Formula 1980 Grand Prix, Zandvoort. Photo: Hans Van Dijk / ANEFO
It is the relationship with the manufacturer that changes, mainly. Yamaha holds the goose that lays the golden eggs, but will the Japanese house dare to entrust the keys to the truck to Valentino for a possible “ Yamaha Team VR46 » ? Wouldn't it be starting an internal war to favor a satellite team to the detriment of the official team?
The Japanese are therefore subject to a real dilemma, because the managerial career seems ready. Ducati is also on board (Sky VR46 sponsors Luca Marini at Esponsorama, and a contract for next year); it would be terrible for Yamaha to miss the opportunity.
For the moment, Rossi's choices bring him closer to
Jorge Martínez than a Kenny Roberts, that is to say a private person who tries to explode talents, supported by a manufacturer and external sponsors.
This analysis leads us to a simple prognosis. Yes, Yamaha will have to dare to “give” the official team to Rossi, in the years following his retirement. The firm cannot do without a figure like “ The Doctor », with the empire that goes with it. Which other pilot can get contracts with Saudi Aramco or Sky at the moment?
What is Petronas doing in all this? ? Will they agree to have another oil tanker on the same bike as a direct competitor? No worries, the petrochemical project
RAPID, launched in Malaysia, has linked the two companies since March 2018. With the proliferation of races in South-East Asia and the market to conquer, there is no doubt that there is something for everyone. The opportunity is too good to miss, don't you think?
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport
