Valentino Rossi will therefore continue his career and make his 26thrd Grand Prix season. A longevity that a one-year contract with the Yamaha Petronas satellite team allows him to maintain. He will be in good conditions since the Iwata firm that he will serve for an eleventh year has promised him a state-of-the-art M1. News that delighted as many people in the paddock and beyond. But it also aroused total indifference among some. Like the KTM official Pol Espargaró…
During the Barcelona Grand Prix came news that we had been waiting for for a long time. It must be said that its confirmation had been hoped for months, but the negotiations, although the outcome was known, were tight on the specific conditions, given the status of the pilot concerned. Because Valentino Rossi is not only a competitor, he is also a business leader... He carries as much sporting weight as he does economically and politically.
“Rossi has adapted to new generations”
The official announcement of the agreement made, the general manager Yamaha Lynn Jarvis expressed his satisfaction, the Petronas man Razlan Razali his relief and his future teammate as a current student of the VR46 academy Franco Morbidelli his joy. But it had no effect on others, much more distant from the " RossiSphere ».
It is so with Pol Espargaro who commented: “ the truth is that I don't know how important it is for the championship because I don't have the numbers in hand if Valentino leaves, how many people will lose or whatever. But it's good to run as long as possible with Rossi because if he's not my idol, but he's a type of driver who never gives up, who has adapted to new generations... I see Rossi as a great driver and for me it's a pleasure to continue racing with him, and for all the people at home who will have fun for another year ».
