Fiat Yamaha teammates Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo (Photo: Yamaha Racing)
Here are some thoughts from last weekend's Valencia season finale.
Rossi's Comments Very Interesting
Fiat Yamaha might be the 'superteam' with the two best riders in the paddock but it doesn't look to last that way after next season.
Over the weekend, Valentino Rossi was quoted by the BBC openly talking about the dynamic of the Fiat Yamaha team and how Yamaha will have to choose between himself and Jorge Lorenzo for 2011 and beyond. Rossi spoke of his option to switch to Ducati, which has often been an implied possible move but nothing that he's done much commenting about other than in his autobiography. It's pretty bold talk from Rossi.
Anything Rossi says or does is big news and talk of switching manufacturers created the buzz you'd expect -- even if the Italian did profess his love of Yamaha in the interview. Later said he thought people misconstrued his comments and downplayed the reaction.
When Valentino speaks, it is done with forethought and usually for effect. I think this case is no different. While Vale said his comments were misinterpreted, the gist of it is this: eventually, it is him or me. Both riders have the star personality and neither will be perfectly happy being anything less than the A rider on any team.
The relationship between Yamaha and Rossi has been great so far and mutually beneficial. For the Tuning Fork brand, Rossi's transformed the MotoGP program and turned them from underachievers into the dominant manufacturer. For Rossi, Yamaha has produced the goods capable of winning, plus they let Rossi lead a more relaxed existence than he had at Honda.
Rossi doesn't want to leave and said as much. I interpret Rossi's comments as a warning shot for 2011, when Rossi, Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa, and Casey Stoner are all free agents.
A big deal of Lorenzo's contract signed earlier this year was a clause that guaranteed him equal equipment with his teammate. I see this as Rossi's rebuttal. He's the nine-time champ and wants to have some pull with the team.
