Rossi likes new chassis, swingarm ‘doubt’

Valentino Rossi looks set to continue with a new Yamaha chassis for the remainder of the British MotoGP weekend, but has doubts over the latest swingarm.

The Italian had requested to try the parts again as soon as possible after a positive impression at the Brno post-race test.

Yamaha duly provided them for Friday practice at Silverstone, which Rossi finished in sixth place, 0.841s from Andrea Iannone.

“At the end, I like the new chassis that I tried in Brno. I have more-or-less the same feeling, so I think we will continue,” Rossi said. “I have more doubt about the swingarm. For me I don’t feel a great improvement. So I don’t know if we will continue to use it tomorrow.”

As in the Czech Republic, the new chassis helped Rossi on braking and corner entry, plus “the feeling of the bike on the bumps, with the brake. Also for turning is okay. Is nothing very big, just a small modify, but it improves the front end.”

Trying the new parts meant Rossi had a busier than usual Friday, and was therefore grateful that the MotoGP class got two dry - if cool - sessions.

Rossi - who starts round twelve of the championship 53points behind title leader Marc Marquez - was particular impressed by the form of Friday leaders Iannone (Ducati) and Maverick Vinales (Suzuki).

“I’m similar to Lorenzo and Marquez, but have especially Vinales and Iannone stronger than us. Because with the hard tyre they are able to make very very fast lap times. A lot faster than me. Also with the soft they have a quite big advantage,” he said.

“I think that they are in a great moment of shape because also if you compare with [their teammates] Espargaro and Dovizioso the difference is quite big. That means they are riding very well. And looks like me and Jorge are in a little bit more trouble with the Yamaha.