As soon as the announcement of Valentino Rossi's Coronavirus contamination was confirmed, the question of his replacement for the next Grand Prix at the same Aragon site came to the table. After studying the situation, Yamaha has decided to leave the box empty during the Teruel Grand Prix which will take place next weekend at MotorLand. The manufacturer explains and justifies his choice.
It's official, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (YMC) and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP have decided not to replace Valentino Rossi when Teruel Grand Prix next weekend. An appointment that cannot be kept Valentino Rossi already packaged for the Aragon Grand Prix this Sunday due to COVID-19 infection. A health check which requires him according to Italian law to remain isolated for 10 days from the new test. In the case of Red, it dates from Thursday October 15.
In fact, the Doctor will not be able to participate in the event next week, from October 23 to 25. Yamaha est dans son droit au regard du Règlement du Championnat du Monde FIM. L’article 1.11.3.ii stipule que : “les équipes doivent faire tous les efforts raisonnables pour fournir un pilote de remplacement qualifié pour remplir leurs obligations d’inscription dans les 10 jours suivant leur retrait“. Dans le cas du retrait de Rossi de l’épreuve du Grand Prix d’Aragon, il a été officiellement communiqué par Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP à l’IRTA le vendredi 16 octobre. Cela signifie que la limite de 10 jours sera atteinte le lundi 26 octobre, un jour après la course du Grand Prix de Teruel…
Do not generate more stress on the team
From an internal management perspective, this decision was made based on the high level of stress that was placed on the members of the MotoGP project. Yamaha during this season affected by the pandemic. Given the small number of event participants and the long stay of YMC engineers and non-European team staff, YMC and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP chose not to impose the added stress of having to adapt to a new rider who should have replaced Rossi for a single race weekend…
Before returning to normal life, he will have to take another PCR test and record a negative result. Therefore, the next time Rossi can compete in a MotoGP event will be at the Gran Premio de Europa, which will be held at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia du November 6 to 8.
