Fourth in the 250 cc World Championship in 3 on Honda, after finishing fifth in 1991, Zeelenberg then moved to World Supersport and won the Monza race in 1990 on Yamaha, after winning at home in Assen in 1999. Then Wilco subsequently led the Yamaha factory team in the Supersport World Championship with riders Cal Crutchlow et Fabien Foret. Crutchlow won the 2009 Supersport World Championship.
Zeelenberg then assisted Massimo Meregalli, team manager for Yamaha in Superbike, with the title of Ben Spies in 2009. In 2010, Zeelenberg began taking on the role of coach for Jorge Lorenzo in Yamaha's MotoGP team.
He is currently one of the men of the triumvirate of the Petronas SRT team, which hires fabio quartararo et Franco Morbidelli.
“Yamaha has taken a big step forward in terms of speed » explained the Dutchman in a video from Petronas Sepang Racing Team on Facebook. “Last year we lost too much on the straights, now we are more aggressive. We are fast but not yet at the level of Ducati, but maybe that is not our goal. »
“We want faster bikes so that when we are in front, no one can easily overtake us on the straight and have us destroy the tires to make up for lost time. »
How is life in the Petronas team stand?
“During a race weekend there are always a lot of emotions and Fabio and Franco are two very respectful guys. We have a great team, and when possible we can sometimes laugh and have a lot of fun in our work. We always try to do our best for them to express their full potential, we are very ambitious. »
What is the most important memory of the 2019 season?
“Surely the best memory of last season also coincides with the most surprising moment. I'm referring to Quartararo's pole position at Jerez ahead of Morbidelli. It's always difficult to have two drivers happy at the same time and that Saturday we achieved it."
Do you prefer 2-stroke motorcycles from the old 500 category or the current MotoGP?
" This is a difficult question. In my heart I am still a two-stroke rider and if I had to choose as a rider I would choose these bikes. If I have to speak as a team manager, I change the answer and I choose the current MotoGP bikes, because they are focused on the future and it was no longer possible to move forward with the two-stroke. The upper class has grown a lot and the competition there has become very high. »
How do you become a MotoGP mechanic?
“To become a mechanic, you need to have a lot of experience and knowledge of the paddock. It also takes luck and knowledge. To learn to be a good mechanic you also need the national championships. »
Do you prefer your current role as a team leader or was it more fun to be a driver?
“My favorite role is definitely the role of the driver, with the excitement of taking a curve at the limit. My job today is a lot of fun but being a pilot was better. »
Photos © Petronas SRT