Breaking news
MotoGP Qatar GP
Rossi: Practice breakthrough saved "critical" situation
Valentino Rossi has credited a practice breakthrough with his Yamaha MotoGP bike for going from a "critical” situation to the podium in the Qatar Grand Prix.
Mitchell Adam
Edited: Mar 26, 2017, 11:01 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Rossi ran behind new teammate Maverick Vinales all winter, struggling primarily with the front end of the 2017 M1 and the revised Michelin tyres on corner entry.
He was only ninth fastest in first practice on Thursday, and then sixth and 13th in Friday’s two sessions - leaving him 10th in the combined practice order, which became the starting grid when qualifying was cancelled.
However, Rossi fared much better in the race to finish third, joining winner Vinales on the podium after running behind him for most of the race.
“Starting the season with a podium is always great, better than last year,” said the Italian. “Arriving from a difficult period, like me with really bad winter tests, from November in Valencia when I tried the new bike I never felt good.
“I have to say a great thank you to Yamaha and all my team because in all this period I always felt a great support and trust in me. The situation was quite critical.
“Something changed from Thursday to Friday, because on Thursday we still had the same problem I had during all the tests and it was very frustrating.
“But Friday was better. I continued to go quite slowly, but I started to improve. From that moment I was quite optimistic about finishing in the first five.
“On Saturday we did nothing and the [Sunday race] warm-up was very difficult, I suffered very much in the high temperature.
“These conditions for the race were better for me. We changed the bike another time for the race and I felt good. I saw Maverick for all of the race. That never happened in all the tests.”
Rossi opted not to class the change as a breakthrough that will transform his season, but hopes the knowledge gained with the 2017 Yamaha will mean “we can work in a better way”.
The 38-year-old also admitted going racing rather than testing helped.
“We'll try to struggle a little bit less,” he said. “Every track is different but I always understand more during the races. The tests are a lot different.
“Also, seriously, I'm quite old so when you don't have the motivation and the right pressure of the race, it becomes more difficult.
"I think this weekend was important.”
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Zarco says he accepted crash risk on MotoGP debut
Next article Late tyre change was "biggest mistake", says Marquez
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Mitchell Adam
Suzuki couldn't see tough start to 2017 season coming
MotoGP
MotoGP
Suzuki couldn't see tough start to 2017 season coming
Miller sick of being "dicked" on acceleration
MotoGP
MotoGP
Miller sick of being "dicked" on acceleration
Dovizioso: "Much better" form helped by 2016 mindset change
MotoGP
MotoGP
Dovizioso: "Much better" form helped by 2016 mindset change
More from
Valentino Rossi
The closest finish in MotoGP history: Toni Elias over Valentino Rossi 20 years ago
MotoGP
MotoGP
Portuguese GP
The closest finish in MotoGP history: Toni Elias over Valentino Rossi 20 years ago
Marc Marquez to read Valentino Rossi’s new book “when I retire” from MotoGP
MotoGP
MotoGP
San Marino GP
Marc Marquez to read Valentino Rossi’s new book “when I retire” from MotoGP
Valentino Rossi abandons Nordschleife Permit plans for 2026
Endurance
Endurance
NLS8
Valentino Rossi abandons Nordschleife Permit plans for 2026
More from
Yamaha Factory Racing
MotoGP to fine riders €5,000 for failing to attend promotional events
MotoGP
MotoGP
Indonesian GP
MotoGP to fine riders €5,000 for failing to attend promotional events
Risky or good for the show? MotoGP riders divided on 2027 weekend format change
MotoGP
MotoGP
Indonesian GP
Risky or good for the show? MotoGP riders divided on 2027 weekend format change
Alex Rins jokes “I sh*t my pants” as Jack Miller gives him MotoGP taxi ride
MotoGP
MotoGP
Japanese GP
Alex Rins jokes “I sh*t my pants” as Jack Miller gives him MotoGP taxi ride
Latest news
Red Bull identifies two "key focus" areas after Max Verstappen's promising start in Austin
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
46 min
Red Bull identifies two "key focus" areas after Max Verstappen's promising start in Austin
Supercars Gold Coast: Chaz Mostert dominates wet race for Walkinshaw Toyota
Supercars
SUPC Supercars
Gold Coast 500
1 h
Supercars Gold Coast: Chaz Mostert dominates wet race for Walkinshaw Toyota
Alex Marquez says overtaking Marc Marquez was “too risky” in Australian GP sprint
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
1 h
Alex Marquez says overtaking Marc Marquez was “too risky” in Australian GP sprint
Jorge Martin declared unfit for Australian GP after suffering fracture in sprint
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
2 h
Jorge Martin declared unfit for Australian GP after suffering fracture in sprint
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe