Valentino Rossi Stays With Yamaha Movistar Racing Team For 2 More Years
At the 2018 MotorGP in Qatar, it was announced that Valentino Rossi will be staying with the Yamaha Movistar racing team for two more years. This is not that much of a surprise; though the fact that it took so long is pretty weird.
“When I signed my last contract with Yamaha, in March 2016, I wondered if that would have been the last contract as a MotoGP rider,” said Valentino Rossi. “At that time, I decided that I‘d take that decision during the following two years.”
There are no signs that Rossi is looking to slow down in his career, however.
“During the last two years I came to the conclusion that I want to continue because racing, being a MotoGP rider, but especially riding my M1, is the thing that makes me feel good.”
“Having the opportunity to work with my team, with Silvano, Matteo and all my mechanics, and working with all Japanese engineers, Tsuji-san, and above all Tsuya-san, is a pleasure – I‘m happy.”
“I want to thank Yamaha – Lin Jarvis and Maio Meregalli in particular – for their trust in me, because the challenge is difficult: being competitive until I‘m 40 years old! I know it‘s going to be difficult and it requires a lot of effort from my side and a lot of training but I‘m ready, I am not lacking in motivation, that‘s why I‘m signing for two more years.”
7 riders are now signed for the 2019 season with Rossi and Maverick Vinales staying with Movistar Yamaha, Marc Merquez over at Repsol Honda, Cal Crtuchlow at LCR Honda while Avintia and Franco Morbidelli are at Marc VDS, as Pecco Bagnaia moves up to Pramac Ducati.