Yamaha Monster Energy team is reportedly has presented updates to improve its MotoGP bike. Valentino Rossi has been requesting the issue for two and a half years. However, for one reason, the Japanese manufacturer’s team makes it happen in 2019.
Rossi started the season with two podium achievements. However, after that the performance of the Italian rider showed a decreasing graph, even failed to finish in three successive races. He admitted he had a more difficult race with Yamaha in the first half of the MotoGP season compared to last season.
“Yamaha is starting to work on smart things; on acceleration, on electronics to manage the rear tyre better,” Rossi said.
“All the things I’ve been asking [to have] for two and a half years, but I’ve never had an answer before the last few months. Maybe we can improve and be competitive both at the end of this year and next year.
“We have improved, but we are still a long way off. We are [usually] seven to eight seconds [behind the top finishers] in races; the other bikes do 12km/h [7.5mph] more on the straight. We will not be strong like Ducati on the straight, but we must work to at least halve the gap.” Rossi added.
The nine-time MotoGP winner sits sixth in the world championship standings behind his team-mate Maverick Vinales, who finished third in the British MotoGP last weekend.
Rossi admitted the carbon swingarm was the main cause of YZR-M1 in the first half of the season.
“I ask many times, and I think and I hope the carbon swingarm can help us. So I hope Yamaha can bring it as soon as possible.” Rossi said.
“We don’t have a very clear situation on when it will be developed, but I hope and I think it won’t be long before we see it.” Rossi added.
Next, Rossi wants to make the most of his home advantage to post his first win of the season, at Misano, in Italy, a venue where he has won three times – most recently in 2014.
