ROSSI JOINS SATELLITE YAMAHA SQUAD

Valentino Rossi joins satellite Yamaha squad – Photo: LAT

Seven-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi is confirmed to race for a 22nd season in the top-class after confirming a deal with satellite squad Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team in 2021.

By HEATH McALPINE

Rossi has signed a one-year deal to ride for the satellite operation in its third-year racing in MotoGP after racing the previous nine seasons with the factory Yamaha squad after moving from Ducati after the 2012 season.

It will be an all-Italian line-up for Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team with Franco Morbidelli confirmed as his teammate.

“I am very happy to continue riding in 2021 and to do it with the Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team,” Rossi said upon the announcement.

“I thought a lot before taking this decision, because the challenge is getting hotter and hotter. To be at the top in MotoGP you have to work a lot and hard, to train every day and lead an ’athlete’s life‘, but I still like it and I still want to ride.

“In the first half of the year I made my choice and I talked with Yamaha, who agreed with me. They told me even if there was no place for me in the Factory Team, the factory bike and the factory support were guaranteed.

“I am very happy to move to Petronas Yamaha SRT. They are young, but they have shown to be a top team. They are very serious and very well organised. For this year I also changed my crew chief.

“It‘ll be nice to have Franco as my team-mate, as he‘s an Academy rider, it‘s going to be cool. I think we can work together to make good things happen.”

Yamaha Motor Racing managing director Lin Jarvis was excited to confirm the continued partnership with Rossi that has delivered four MotoGP titles, 56 victories and 142 podiums during 250 races.

“We are delighted that Valentino will be staying in MotoGP for another year, and we are sure the fans of the sport feel the same way,” said Jarvis.

“A substantial part of the MotoGP fanbase will have grown up with Valentino and followed him throughout his career.

“This current and final season with the Factory Yamaha Team is his 25th in the motorcycle Grand Prix racing World Championship and his 15th year with Yamaha.

“Early on we assured Valentino that, should he stay in MotoGP for 2021, Yamaha would continue to give him full support and a Factory YZR-M1. In the end, this is exactly what he decided to do.

“I previously stated that this Covid-19 influenced MotoGP season would not be the appropriate year for such a legendary rider to close his career.

“Valentino has always been so popular with the fans all around the world, so it‘s great that he has decided to continue for at least another season.

“They are still quite a ’young‘ team, but they are very professional and serious contenders for race wins and feature in the top of the championship standings, so we are sure that Valentino will feel comfortable and be able to perform at his best level.”

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