English
Italiano
In the press room at Jerez, alongside the riders, is Lin Jarvis. It was inevitable that Yamaha's Managing Director would attend in the week that brought confirmation of this highly-anticipated news.
How is it for the team when one of the top riders decides to change?
“It's like when you're at the disco and you ask a beautiful girl to dance and she says no and goes to dance with someone else. It's never easy to lose a rider of Jorge's calibre, he's been with us for nine seasons. I hoped he would stay but it's his choice, and is to be respected."
Was it impossible to keep him and Rossi in the same team?
“No. Jorge wanted new stimuli and he received an offer that was better than ours."
What attracted Lorenzo to sign with Ducati?
“To be an undisputed number one. The bike has clearly improved and consequently the risks are less."
How complicated was it to manage two top riders in the team?
“It definitely wasn't easy to keep a balance, but we managed to do so."
Could Vinales come on board with Yamaha?
“He's among the most promising riders, and has shown great growth. We're interested in time, but there are also alternatives. It's not as simple as the media makes out, we have to meet with various managers and understand what's the best choice."
Have you set yourselves a deadline by which to decide?
“I'd say no, there's no precise deadline. With Jorge we set one, so that we'd both know what what happening. We know we have a great package that could attract different riders."
Back to Lorenzo, could you have done more to convince him to stay?
“We made our best offer. In the team we have two great riders, who have always shown a correct relationship, both on and off track. Sometimes they didn't get on, but they would always sort it out."
If Lorenzo were to decide to return in the future?
“Yamaha has shown over the years how it has maintained relationships with various riders, leaving the door open. So it could be possible."
Did the final straw between Lorenzo and Yamaha stem from Sepang?
“The Sepang race had an effect on the end of the championship and the atmosphere in the team. Before Malaysia, their relationship was positive, despite the competition, then everything changed."
Is Marquez in Yamaha a possibility?
“It would be difficult for him and Vale to share a garage, it's unlikely."
Are there regrets about Jorge's decision?
“Of course! I would have liked him to stay. The Lorenzo and the M1 proved to be a winning pairing. Last year, after the Austin race, he showed himself to be an invincible rider, winning the next four consecutive races."
What influence will Rossi have on the selection of the second rider?
“We'll also talk to him, but the decision comes down to Yamaha”.
Despite his upcoming adventure in Ducati, will Lorenzo still receive the same treatment, in terms of material, as Valentino?
“Yes, our riders want to win the Championship. They will have the same components for the entire season. Perhaps, in Jorge's case, not the M1 prototype at Brno.”
Will Lorenzo leaving have an effect on sponsorship?
“I don't think his move to Ducati will have a bearing on our sponsors. We have a number of them working with us and we have a relationship of trust."
Will Lorenzo test the Ducati already at Valencia?
“We haven't thought about it yet to be honest. That's what usually happens, but we'll see."
