Coming down from the third step of the podium at the Andalusian Grand Prix, Valentino Rossi approaches the Czech Republic Grand Prix with the possibility of repeating the operation for the 200rd time in his career in the premier category. However, it will not be easy, because he is ranked last in the Yamaha clan, in tenth place on the starting grid. In front of him, there is Viñales, fifth, and, above all, the two Petronas drivers second and third. But how can this satellite team find itself in front of the official team? The Doctor gives his diagnosis, which could well annoy Viñales…
In Jerez 2, Lynn Jarvis wanted to get on the podium to celebrate a Yamaha hat-trick. But Razlan Razali reminded him that the winner had the Petronas colors… The healthy emulation between the two teams continues this weekend at Brno. And the same Lynn Jarvis must eat his hat while looking at the appearance of the starting grid. Once again, the Malaysian colors are ahead of theirs...
However, the structure Petronas is it more competent than that of the factory? Valentino Rossi clearly answers: “ in my opinion, the difference today was made by the drivers. I don't think the Petronas team is better than the official team. I think Morbidelli and Quartararo drove better. I spoke a lot with Yamaha about my decision to continue next year. They are happy. I also spoke with the Japanese and their support for the team is true. The bike is good and, in any case, the team is first class ».
« They did very well. They have a good team, they are well organized and they also have a sponsor with a lot of money, which is also very important. As for Yamaha, they provide great support to their satellite team, in terms of the Japanese engineers and the people who work on the bikes. They are in the background ". And he finishes, teasingly: “ seen like that, the decision to sign for the Petronas team is a good one ».
“Three satellite pilots in front, it’s special”
He then looks back on his performance and talks about how he envisions the Sunday race: “ the fact that there are three satellite pilots in front of the officials is something special. The pace is good. We saw that we were suffering a little more in the afternoon, but I expected at least to be in third row. From tenth place, it's more difficulte ».
« You have to do everything right and have a little luck. The podium will be difficult, but we will still have to try and try to have a good race. We will have to start and try to be with the riders in front, because we have the pace ". It will be recalled that it was in Brno, in 1996, that Valentino Rossi took the first of his 115 Grand Prix victories.
MotoGP Brno J2: qualifying
