ROSSI’S PETRONAS BIKE REVEALED

Valentino Rossi Petronas Yamaha bike revealed – Image: Supplied

Nine-time Motorcycle World Champion Valentino Rossi has unveiled the livery of his satellite Petronas Yamaha machine, his first non-factory machine since 2001.

By DAN McCARTHY

The Italian motorcycle legend has effectively switched seats with French up and comer Fabio Quartararo in the MotoGP off-season.

Quartararo moves to the factory Yamaha team, while Rossi has shifted to the Petronas squad alongside his academy rider Franco Morbidelli.

Rossi is excited about this new chapter in his motorcycle racing career and looks forward to fighting for race wins or even the championship.

“I’m very proud to be part of Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team,” Rossi said. “It’s a new challenge for me.”

“This is a very young team, but in the last two years they have already been really competitive. I’m happy to see my new bike for this year and I really like the colours of the livery, leathers and helmet, they look awesome.

“My target for 2021 is to be competitive, fight to win races, fight to achieve podiums and also fight for a good position in the World Championship standings at the end of the season.

“We are all very focused on our targets to make the best we can. I think that with Franco we are a very interesting couple of riders as we know each other really well.

“All the whole team has a lot of motivation and I will give my maximum to achieve together the best possible result at the end of the calendar. We are ready to start.”

His teammate is an Italian 16 years his junior and had his breakout season in 2020, Morbidelli finished second in the MotoGP standings last season after taking three wins and hopes to go one better this time around.

“This will be my third year with the team and there are many things I like about Petronas Yamaha SRT,” Morbidelli said.

“The 2021 YZR-M1 livery is similar to the last two years, but still changed; it’s the same but different, so I like it.

“What is different from last year is my teammate; I expect and hope it will be a great season for ‘Vale’ and me. We have had a strong relationship for many years and we will learn a lot from each other.

“My personal target for 2021 is to get better; improve myself as a person, rider and athlete. I know it’s hard and difficult because last year we were quite fast and we made great races and achieved great results.

“Nevertheless, we will have to try to improve compared with 2020, so that’s my aim, try to be better year after year.”

Both riders will have the opportunity as the team finished second in the standings beating the likes of the factory Yamaha squad, Ducati Corse and Honda Racing Team.

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