It was with mixed feelings that Valentino Rossi left a Jerez track which had offered him two days of testing to better know his Yamaha version 2020. Tests which followed those in Valencia. The raw result was the same: while the Yamaha riders are playing for the top 5, even leading the debates, the Doctor remains behind. A situation not really calculated so much so that there is still work to be done for Vale, the only real satisfaction of which is the integration of its new chief engineer, David Muñoz…
We know that from these tests and the first Grands Prix until midway through the 2020 season the decision to Valentino Rossi to extend his career until 2022. Or not. For the moment, the impressions distilled by the new Yamaha are not bad, but they do not really translate into the timesheet. Hence a mixed feeling: “ it's Maverick who is very, very fast ", told Valentino Rossi, Monday, after losing 1,6 seconds to his teammate Casa Particular in Viñales. Also against Fabio Quartararo (2nd) of the Petronas team, the 40-year-old pilot could not do anything.
« It's a shame that the weather conditions deteriorated on Tuesday, but we had important comparison tests between the old bike and the new », summarized Rossi Tuesday evening. " We had a full program, but we could only do ten laps in the dry. However, I was more competitive ". Although Vale only lost a good half a second to the world champion's best time Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda), he only took 10th place.
« My feeling with the new bike is rather positive », assured the Italian. “ In some areas the bike has been improved, but there are still some problems. We must take bigger steps. Morale in the box is still good, but the results are not.. It's like always in life: if the results are good, then everything is good. And otherwise, everything becomes difficult. »
« Maverick always performs fantastic in testing, proving the bike is good. But it's also that he always gives more than any other driver during these tests. On the one hand we are happy because the bike is good, but we have to stay focused because we have a lot of work ahead of us for next season » continues the nine-time title holder.
Even with the new engine, Yamaha has significant top speed disadvantages compared to Honda and Ducati. We will therefore have to have better for the start of the school year at Sepang, next February: “ they are on the right track with the engine, but the gap is still very large. Nine or ten km/h in Jerez. I hope that other developments will come » finishes the man from Tavullia.
Valentino Rossi will now train at the ranch before enjoying his meeting with Lewis Hamilton and its Formula 1 in Valencia on December 9. He will also do a car endurance race in Abu Dhabi with his brother Marini and his partner “Uccio”. Only then will there be a time to rest...
Tuesday results:
Results of the two days of testing in Jerez:
