ROSSI’S LONG, WINDING ROAD TO SRT
Italian legend finally joins Malaysian outfit after lengthy negotiations
MOTOGP great Valentino Rossi is pleased to have secured his seat at Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (SRT) next year after successfully navigating one of the most complicated contract negotiations ever seen in the sport.
Rossi, who had been contemplating retirement since the end of last year, said switching to SRT was the ideal step for him as he looks to wind down his career.
The Italian will be bringing three support staff — chief mechanic David Munoz, rider coach Idalio Gavira and data analyst Matteo Flamigni — with him to SRT.
“I think this move is good for me, I have to thank Lin Jarvis and Yamaha (factory) for making it possible,” said Rossi in a joint press conference with Yamaha Motor Racing managing director Lin Jarvis on Saturday.
“SRT are currently racing at a very high level (of performance). They are very professional and have already achieved some good results. I think it will be very nice to race with them.
“I fought a lot for the team (support staff) to join me, but sometimes it is not possible (to bring everyone).
“I did not meet (SRT team principal) Datuk Razlan Razali until this year, but I know Wilco Zeelenberg (SRT team manager) as we had been together at the Yamaha factory team before.
“I had also raced together with (SRT team director) Johan Stigefelt in the 90s and know him very well.
“It is also good for me to be racing with Franco Morbidelli as he is also our (VR46 Academy) rider.”
Rossi, who turns 42 next year, added that he feels confident that he can still be competitive next season despite his advancing age.
He will remain on the books of the Yamaha factory team next year and will receive the same factory spec YZR-M1 bike as the other factory riders despite riding in SRT colours.
Jarvis said the complex arrangement between all parties involved forced the negotiations to take long to seal.
“We actually signed the (final contract) 17 minutes before the press release (was issued). I said today that it was six months (negotiation) from beginning to end, but then Rossi reminded me that it was actually eight months,” said Jarvis.
“Rossi will remain a Yamaha factory rider, but will ride for SRT. They (SRT) have their legal team, we (Yamaha) have our legal team and Rossi has his legal team and as you can imagine bringing all that together — involving three countries Malaysia, Japan and Italy — was complicated.
“Having Rossi continue in this sport is important for MotoGP. It would have been incorrect for him to stop (retire) in this Covid-19 situation.
“It is a one year contract for now, but if all parties are happy, then we will discuss the possibility of a second (season) sometime in the middle of next year.”
Razlan said SRT are happy with the deal they got for Rossi.
“Rossi will remain contracted to Yamaha despite racing with us. The offer is quite good as the costs (salaries etc) of Valentino will be paid by the Yamaha factory.
“It is not easy as Rossi is not a normal rider. We had also discussed a lot about his image rights, outlining what we can and cannot do etc. It took a long time, but we are finally here.”
SRT's Fabio Quartararo will take over Rossi's seat at the factory team next year.
Despite being only in their second season in MotoGP, SRT have already won three races so far this season. An outstanding feat for a satellite team.