At Yamaha, we will end up asking ourselves this question: in MotoGP, is there a pilot on the plane? The only thing successful within the official team since the beginning of this year is the loyalty of a Maverick Vinales for two more years. We do not know if, since then, the Spaniard is delighted to have sealed his fate so quickly with the brand in tune, but what is certain is that the latest performances of his M1 are far from making him happy. Meanwhile, sister machine Tech3 plays up front with zarco above, and Valentino Rossi has still not set its future in stone. Precisely, on the subject, it would be like water in the gas…
The rumor comes from Tutomotoriweb who understands from Maurizio Bruscolini that the negotiations between Yamaha and the Doctor are stumbling over the figures to be put at the bottom of the contract. The Iwata brand would have severely revised downwards the conditions granted to Vale, which would like to continue for one more year with an option for the following year.
The amount is not given, but it is specified that Yamaha saw its sales drop by 10% in the Philippines and 6,5% in Malaysia, strategic emerging markets for the Japanese. We don't know if there is cause and effect, but what is certain is that depriving yourself of a marketing icon like Rossi at these moments would not necessarily be wise.
We will remember that the return of Red at Yamaha after his Ducati period had been pushed by the commercial decision-makers while their counterparts in charge of competition had little taste for the prospect. Will history repeat itself?
