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(Motorsport-Total.com) – The first day of MotoGP testing in Jerez has sparked lines of concern on the front of Valentino Rossi and a smile on the face of Maverick Vinales. Yamaha will continue to work meticulously on the engine after testing in Valencia last week. However, the nine-time world champion does not believe that any of the two new specs could dare to attack the Honda and the 2019 Ducati.
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Valentino Rossi is frustrated on Wednesday in Jerez: only P17 zoom
"We are more or less at the same level as this year," said Rossi soberly. The Italian tested the two 2019 engine specs that Yamaha brought to Jerez. Overall, the "Doctor" ran 50 laps on Wednesday, a technical problem having stopped him after the lunch break.
"I came out with a new tire, but after that, I heard a strange noise, so I stopped, honestly, I do not know what happened," he said. ;Italian. At the end of the day, he was only 17th, at 1 .5 39.564 minutes, 1.596 seconds behind Danilo Petrucci's fastest time on the Ducati. However, Rossi gave up the end of the test day for a timed hunt with new tires.
Rossi: "The best are faster than us"
Yamaha's problem remains in the long run. "I see the following problem: on new tires, the bike responds very well, we are fast, too Franco [Morbidelli]who does not have much experience yet. But if you take a closer look, we'll have bigger problems after four or five rounds. Morbidelli (Petronas-Yamaha) finished sixth in the 2018 M1 with a time of 1: 38.659 (+0.691 seconds).
© 2018 Yamaha Motor Racing Srl
Rossi is not happy with Yamaha's development zoom
Rossi does not therefore give as much importance to the 2019er reader's decision. "The problem is that we have not made much movement, the problems are always the same when I ride a bike, I have to study it more closely, but I do not see the problem. rhythm, the best are faster than us. " Nachsatz: "The problem is not making the right decision in the engine, but the problem is that neither one nor the other provides the improvements we need."
In Longrun, you can compete in the first rounds, but you can speed up the pace later. Honda, Ducati and Suzuki are in a better position, Rossi warns. He seems helpless and a little annoyed, but tries to keep calm. "Yeah, annoyed … it's like that," he laughs. He feels "more or less" a déjà-vu, because even before the 2018 season, Yamaha had the same problems.
Rossi impressed by the power of the Ducati
"Yamaha must realize that this is not enough."
The Italian therefore calls on the Japanese: "For me, it is clear that Yamaha must admit that it is not enough.If we run tomorrow, we may be fifth, sixth, seventh or fourth, but we will We do not fight for wins. "Even though he was already choosing an engine specification today, that would not change anything, he explains.
Significantly, when Rossi was asked if Yamaha would submit a new engine to the Sepang test in February, they would not be satisfied with both specifications, he just shook his head. "Yes, but I do not know our development plan, I do not know if they go one step further."
"We are not fighting for victory."
Unlike his team mate Maverick Vinales, the Italian has not noticed any increase in the Valencia test. "It looks like the more they can progress, the more impressive Ducati will be," he said. "The times seemed solid and it was not difficult for them, including Bautista, who came from Superbike, which is a little scary."
Vinales much happier: a step forward
On the other hand, Vinales, neighbor of garage, speaks much more positively of the work of development. The Spaniard, who was working for the first time with his new team leader, Esteban Garcia, finished fourth on Wednesday with a time of 1: 38.376. He missed only four tenths of a second. In total, he made 58 laps. "I'm really happy," he smiles.
© 2018 Yamaha Motor Racing Srl
The Spanish is satisfied with the new engine zoom
"We were able to improve the lap times of last year and take a step forward." We worked very hard on the racetrack because we had a lot of problems last year. " Vinales. "We still have to decide the engine, tomorrow we have to stay focused, and today I have not changed the configuration so much, there is still room for improvement."
Yamaha is totally focused on the engine decision in Jerez and therefore has not introduced any new chassis components in Spain. Massimo Meregalli, head of the Yamaha team, explains to MotoGP.com: "The focus is on the two specifications of the engine, we must decide which we will drive next year, we have the engine 2019 and its evolution C ' is a fundamental decision because we did not necessarily choose the right choice last year. "
2019 threatens another epidemic year?
Yamaha wants to avoid mistakes because as a factory team, you can not work on the engine during the season. "That's why we do not have any new parts here, and of course we could say we're wasting time not testing new chassis parts," he said.
In any case, Vinales is not worried. "My comments are very clear, but Yamaha has to decide which engine we will use, and I'm happy that the engine is running a little better at the cornering entry, which I had missed the year last, "revealed the Spaniard. This is contrary to his driving style. Nevertheless, it is necessary to increase in terms of traction and electronics. "Every time I open the throttle, the rear wheel turns very hard," he admits.
© 2018 Yamaha Motor Racing Srl
Vinales is much better behaved Wednesday: P4 zoom
Exciting: unlike Rossi, Vinales is not concerned about the pace of his race. "We've been consistent on many laps, which makes me happy, the bike worked well and the decision was pretty much the same." He also explains that he was able to complete almost 30 laps with a set of tires without any problem. "It's a good feeling because I can still make good lap times at the end of the tire's life."
Yamaha threat then another difficult year, similar to 2018 with only a few podiums and victories? Rossi remains diplomatic: "It is too early to say, we are working not only on the engine, but also in other important areas that can be changed during the season," he said. Thursday, the last day of official testing before the winter break, Yamaha will make the final decision regarding engine specifications.
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