Yamaha bosses eat humble pie
Perhaps I’d better begin by saying that I’m sorry. It’s the noble thing to do. Not sure yet what for.
This mood of worthy humility was triggered on Saturday in Austria. On their factory riders’ worst-yet qualifying of an increasingly difficult season for Yamaha, the crossed tuning forks big-wigs convened an extraordinary press briefing, with the sole purpose of saying sorry. Sorry to the riders, sorry to the media. In fact, sorry to everybody. This was a very Yamaha thing to do. It is the Japanese company with a streak of humanity. And there was a sort of precedent, back in 2001, when Yamaha’s Nakajima owned up to having made some errors in their final two-stroke, upon which Max Biaggi was getting seriously kicked by Rossi on a Honda.
Biaggi had gone public, blaming what he called “structural problems” in the chassis for a series of crashes. Yamaha were responding to this criticism, and accepting some of the blame. This time round, it was a voluntary act. A public face-stuffing of humble-pie in which the delegates’ gluttony was quite alarming. There is clear confusion in the technical department. It showed last year, and even more in 2018. Viñales is blaming his hapless crew chief. Only Rossi’s supreme determination and race-craft is saving at least some face. So the apology is not misplaced. But very noble.
It’s unthinkable that Honda might follow this lead. Honda have never been known to apologise for anything. And why should they? When Honda don’t win, it is the riders’ fault, never the engineers’. But others should take up the selfflagellation. Aprilia seriously need to say sorry to their riders who are struggling with a bike that is inferior even to the Yamaha. And especially to Scott Redding, for not giving him a machine to suit his undoubted talent. Mea culpa, Sr Albesiano. KTM have as many apologies to make. Last year’s rapid development has not been sustained. The riders have paid the price. Not least hardworking Bradley Smith. Suzuki likewise. Sorry to Aleix Espargaro for dumping him. Ditto to Iannone. Sorry to Dorna for having messed them around. And sorry for taking so long to get fast again. And finally, my turn again. To MCN, for taking up this space. And to any readers who have made it this far. I’m sorry.
‘A very public face-stuffing of humble pie’