The problems Yamaha currently face have been known for some time, and both Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales have been outspoken about what needs to be improved. Following Friday practice at Silverstone, which comes after a test at Misano, it seems some improvement has finally been made.
Rossi finished 8th in the combined times but said he could have been quicker if he didn’t hit traffic. In his Friday debrief, he firstly spoke about the state of the new track surface and the bumps which haven’t gone down well with any of the riders.
“For me the situation with the asphalt is that the grip is better than last year, but its not a big step … it’s better because here at Silverstone last year we had minimum 4 different asphalts, so it was difficult to ride the bike from one asphalt to the other, now it’s just one. This is positive.” said Rossi, explaining the benefit of the new surface.
“But the situation of the bumps is not very good because unfortunately it has not improved. In some points maybe its also worse than last year. So already the bumps were an issue for Silverstone, and unfortunately also with the new asphalt the situation is not very good.” he concluded.
The vast improvement from the last race in Austria to this Friday performance at Silverstone can be partly attributed to the track better suiting the Yamaha, which Rossi explained.
“The first day for me is quite positive because first of all our M1 in this track is very good to ride, this track is more friendly with our bike because you can ride in a very good way, so this morning already me and Maverick we were strong.”
However, Rossi also mentioned an update he tried on the bike in FP2 which was originally trialled by Viñales at the Misano test. This may be the update the factory riders have been requesting for so long, or at least a step towards it.
“The afternoon is interesting because I try something technical that Maverick tried in Misano and I like it, it is good, so this is positive. The track helps, but also this small modification is better. My pace is good… unfortunately in the time attack I get Simeon, and if not I could stay better. But the important thing is the top 10.
“We work a bit for the electronic acceleration and looks like we make a step because the bike is a bit more smooth and I think this is important for us.”
Yamaha have employed a member of it’s World Superbike squad to assist with the MotoGP electronics, but Rossi said the employee wasn’t with them this weekend due to WSBK commitments. They may already be reaping the benefits of his help, however, going by their much improved place in the standings.
Rossi has historically been very strong in the wet, and with a complete washout forecast for Sunday, it may be a great opportunity for him to achieve Yamaha’s first win since Assen in 2017.
