Yamaha’s managing director explained well how close the Japanese manufacturer and Valentino Rossi’s company are but, at the same time, how difficult it is to find an agreement
February 21, 2023
The managing director of Yamaha, Lin Jarvis, gave an interesting interview to Speedweek. Here are some passages, also relating to the possibility that the Japanese company will soon regain possession of un team satellite.
Jarvis didn’t mince words about what he hears around: “The logic says work with Valentino and the VR46 as a MotoGP customer team it would be one good direction“. But there are some obstacles starting with the fact that the Mooney team is contractually linked to Ducati until the end of 2024.
Jarvis has spoken with Zam in his podcast “At full throttle” and even in that case he explained that yes, Yamaha is aiming to get two more bikes back on the grid soon.
The separation with Razali took place during the past season. Quartararo said help from the customer team last year was nil. Of course, the bikes of Dovizioso and Binder junior always finished well behind the Frenchman (and Morbidelli too).
But what did Jarvis add to Speedweek? “We had a discussion on Saturday night in Sepang about how the lack of a customer team could affect the 2023 season. We discussed it in the project management group and Sumi-San was there as well. Now that we are trying to get back on our feet after last season, when we didn’t have enough speed and performance, the lack of a customer team it’s not a disadvantage”.
“But there can be drawbacks on GP weekends, when we need to try set-ups for different scenarios, when the weather changes and the decision to go straight into Q2 is already made on Friday. Then our Italian competitor has the information and data of eight pilotswho try different things and test different tire compounds: so we will certainly have disadvantages”.
Jarvis thought it sums up like this: “This is my opinion: it won’t be harmful for the development of the bike, but it will be harmful for racing”.
Concretely what could be the customer team?
There is little choice. Lucio Cecchinello has extended his HRC contract by two years, until the end of 2024. Gresini Racing has a Ducati contract and has no intention of parting ways with Borgo Panigale. As mentioned, Rossi’s Mooney VR46 team also has a contract with Ducati until 2024.
“We want to come back with a satellite team as soon as possible. There is no absolute urgency, but we don’t want to waste unnecessary time. If we find a solution for 2024 that fits our strategy for the future it will be welcome. It won’t be easy because most of the teams have valid contracts. Lucio Cecchinello’s LCR team? It has a very long history and connection with Honda. So such an agreement would be difficult.”
Various collaborations with VR46
Still on the VR46: “Of course there are many discussions with VR46 – ha dettp Jarvis -. We work closely with them, manage our Moto2 Master Camp team, we have a very close relationship with Valentino. Logic would say that’s a good direction to go. With Marco Bezzecchi and Luca Marini, Valentino has two absolutely promising riders. And we support the VR46 Riders Academy with Yamaha bikes. It makes a lot of sense to go this route. But they have a contract with Ducati for 2024.”
