This 2019 MotoGP season will have a special flavor for Valentino Rossi. Firstly because it follows a 2018 campaign devoid of any success, even if it ended with a podium in the general classification. Then, this vintage must absolutely signify an awareness at Yamaha of the need to raise the level of play. And then it will be a year to take on as a quadra. A first at this level of competition for a full official driver…
A particularity on which he insisted during the official presentation of Iwata's troops in Jakarta: " the challenge for me is to stay competitive at this age. I am the first driver to race at this level at 40 years old. The important thing is to stay motivated and, above all, to be competitive ».
On this level, the Doctor specifies: “ engineers in Japan have worked a lot this winter. I know the new project manager well and I think he is good. There will be new things to try at Sepang. I don't think I will perform very well in these tests though. I just want to realize that we are going in the right direction. It will be important ».
He adds : " we have new engineers with us, both Japanese and Italian. Something has changed in the team. I think we can be stronger, but we have to wait before talking about it. It won't be easy to get back to the top very quickly ».
Vale finishes on GP One : " With this black and blue, we look a bit like the 'Men in Black', but I really like it and it's important to feel the support of Monster Energy. My helmet will remain similar to last year's and will remain faithful to the blue and yellow. On the other hand, for the tests, I will have a new helmet. Something new and very artistic. You will see, it will be nice ».
