Rossi "pushed a lot" for Yamaha to sign Lorenzo
MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi says he "pushed a lot" for his Yamaha team to sign his former archrival Jorge Lorenzo as 2020.

Lorenzo, who won three titles during his nine-year stint as a Yamaha MotoGP rider, retired from full-time competition last year and returned to the Iwata manufacturer as a tester.
He rode the M1 bike during the recent Sepang shakedown, and said it was "still ideal" for his riding style.
Rossi and Lorenzo had a famously difficult relationship during their time as Yamaha teammates, but the Italian said that he was certain his team could use Lorenzo's input this year.
"For me Jorge is perfect for us," Rossi said. "Because, first of all, I pushed a lot with Lin [Jarvis, team manager] and with Yamaha to speak with Jorge, I think it's a clever decision.
"Maybe somebody had some doubts because Jorge last year at the end was a lot in trouble with the Honda, but I always said to them that it's enough that he ride one day with the M1 and he can be competitive, and in fact it was already like this the first day.
"And for us it's important because now in modern MotoGP it's very important to have a good test team, that brings the data and everything, but you need a rider that can be strong, can be fast, can make the same laptime than us [the factory riders].
"For us I think will be a big help for improve the bike in a shorter time."
Rossi's factory teammate Maverick Vinales was likewise elated by Lorenzo's hiring, saying he would appreciate the chance to work with a fellow Spaniard and someone who's won titles on the M1 bike.
"For me it's really important because also we are nearly from the same place, we speak the same language, also [our] characteristics are very similar, for me it's much more easy to work [with him]," Vinales said of Lorenzo.
"And also he has been world champion with this bike, he knows what to do to be world champion. In all these years [since Vinales joined in 2017] we haven't been that competitive to win one title, so to have the opportunity to have Jorge support the team and to understand what you have to do to be world champion.
"Also for the development of the bike Jorge has been on the Yamaha for the best days of the Yamaha, he will know very well what we need to improve."

Previous article
Yamaha, Petronas SRT unveil their 2020 MotoGP bikes
Next article
Quartararo tops first day of Sepang MotoGP test

About this article
Series | MotoGP |
Drivers | Maverick Viñales , Jorge Lorenzo , Valentino Rossi |
Teams | Yamaha Factory Racing |
Author | Valentin Khorounzhiy |
Rossi "pushed a lot" for Yamaha to sign Lorenzo
Trending
Repsol Honda Team - Pol Espargaró Q&A
Repsol Honda Team - Marc Marquez Q&A
Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics
Alex Marquez's form was one of MotoGP 2020's biggest surprises and, by firmly stepping out of his six-time world champion brother Marc's shadow, he proved a few people wrong. Not that he cares about this, as he tells Lewis Duncan
How Yamaha's new MotoGP era can unchain Vinales
After the electrifying start to his Yamaha MotoGP career in 2017, Maverick Vinales has struggled for consistency. Many anticipate that the arrival of Fabio Quartararo could spell disaster, but the departure of Valentino Rossi could be just the impetus he needs.
Does KTM really need 'super engine' for MotoGP title challenge?
Fears from rival MotoGP manufacturers that KTM would build a 'super engine' for 2021 have ultimately come to nothing with the revealation that the RC16 hasn't been radically changed over the winter. But does it really need that to win the title?
How Ducati's latest Aussie union can return it to MotoGP glory
Australians on Ducatis is an iconic partnership, the marque's last one yielding its sole MotoGP crown to date. But its latest Aussie union with the often underestimated Jack Miller can end this drought.
The "balls out" battle between MotoGP's true greats
Senna vs Prost is regularly cited as motorsport's greatest rivalry. But it can easily be argued Rainey vs Schwantz can stake that claim. That rivalry was in full swing during the 1991 500cc season, remembered fondly by both stars 30 years on...
The "warrior" MotoGP rookie KTM was right to back
The 2020 MotoGP campaign featured a standout pair of rookies, but one flew under the radar as he adjusted to a shock step-up armed with very little racing experience. However as his veteran team boss explains, the faith shown in him was not misplaced
Why Suzuki's Brivio replacement must come from within
With its charismatic leader Davide Brivio leaving for Formula 1, the Suzuki MotoGP squad he turned into a world championship-winning force in 2020 has a major recruitment headache that it needs to resolve carefully.
Why Alpine's latest signing could be its best hope of F1 glory
The return of Fernando Alonso to the renamed Alpine team is a sure sign of the team's ambition. But its latest appointment from MotoGP could be an even bigger coup as it seeks to end a barren run stretching back to Alonso's 2006 world title