That's ........, the riders are only part of the equation. The crew chiefs and engineers are responsible for taking what the riders say and ask for and making the proper adjustments and developing the right parts to improve the motorcycle. The riders are just easy to point the finger at since they're the most visible part of the team, but make no mistake if the engineers are failing at their job the riders will suffer. You have no proof Vinales and Rossi are providing poor feedback to the team.
Oh really? Exhibit A:
https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/rossi-confirms-2018-yamaha-will-be-based-on-2016-bike-984543/
This is a post Valnecia test article where Rossi explains they (as in the riders) have agreed to go with an evolution of the 2016 bike:
"We tried the old bike, the one from 2016," Rossi told Italy's Radio Deejay. "We deliberated and we were all agreed the 2017 bike was worse.
"We still have to see what the new bike will be like, there will be something interesting. But the base will be the bike from 2016.
Also note that he admits that while Vinales was quick on the original 2017 bike, he 'didn't like it'. Instead of Yamaha focusing on their quickest rider, who won his opening 2 races on the bike, the tyre was changed (by almost unanimous agreement supposedly) to one that wrecked the balance of the bike his chances and supposedly made Rossi more competitive. I guess Rossi now knows how Stoner and Repsol Honda felt when Rossi voted on a tyre change aimed at hindering Stoner's preseason domination.
"The problem was that when Vinales arrived, he went very fast," Rossi added.
"I tried it and I didn't like it, but I thought, maybe because it was the end of the season, I was out of shape.
When Marco Melandri didn't like the Ducati GP08, the team sent him to a shrink.
So, lets fast forward to Sepang 2018, the first test after Rossi and Vinales gave feedback on what they wanted over the winter:
https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/rossi-first-test-day-better-than-entire-2017-pre-season-999822/
Rossi praised the new Yamaha, saying he was "always competitive" during the day, which was not the case in pre-season testing the year before.
"I don't remember last year one day like this," said Rossi.
"I was always competitive, I am happy because in November [at the private Sepang test] we did a good job, we understood better after the confusion during the season.
"The chassis of today is a new chassis, an evolution but is based on the 2016 [chassis].
"When I ride this chassis I feel better, my ride is more natural, I feel I perform better and when I push, I have good speed."
Vinales said at the same test:
However, Vinales said that he was focusing on longer runs, and felt that big gains have been made in terms of tyre management.
"There is a real improvement because from lap zero to lap 20 I just really do [within] 0.3-0.4s, that is very positive.
"I felt great with that, but still, I think we can improve a lot."
Fast Forward to yesterday:
https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/rossi-worries-yamaha-could-need-another-season-to-fix-issues-1034552/
When asked if any of his problems stemmed from the bike itself, Rossi said it was “25/75” mechanical and electronics, and says Yamaha will only be working “on the 25” in Monday's Jerez test.
So at Sepang 1 he says the bike is better, and now saying it's worse. So yes that is poor feedback. The fact that Zarco who is on a 2016 bike (that is now TWO years old) and was the first iteration of the M1 to run spec ECU's and Michelin tyres and is beating the factory riders with their resources and two years of data on the ECU and tyres means you're damn right the blame lies with him and Vinales. The fact Yamaha were slow on the update for poaching MM engineers cannot be blamed on the riders sure, but the end user for bike development is the rider, and Rossi has been hindering Yamaha more than he has been helping.
Anyway to the race. Masterclass from Marquez once again. Didn't put a foot wrong and when I saw Luthi spit gravel all over the track, my heart was in my mouth until the leaders came around and sure enough, Marquez did his best to scare us half to death.
"The crash" was a racing incident. You cannot blame Lorenzo for wanting to get back on line asap, nor Pedders for going for a gap that existed. Dovisiozo was quick to blame others but JPS said it well:
Even though everyone says no one was at fault, I think Dovizioso was. He set off the entire chain of events with his attempt at standing on the brakes as late as he could and forcing both bikes off line.
Oh yes it is, Rossi and Viñales didn't just wake up one morning and lose their ability to ride. They are both singing the same song about the limitations of the bike and what they need.
If Yamaha pull their collective finger out and get a pro in who can decipher the black box we will have two more competitors.
See my response to MV above.
Would have been a pisser if he'd got it going.
I wonder how long it would have taken him to notice? I would assume peg position etc would be different but I don't know what else. I know Pedders dash is completely different from Marquez' but no idea if the Ducati's differ.
True Dovi ran wide, but he was leading at the moment of impact. .
I don't agree, When Lorenzo fell he took the front of Dovi's bike down, not the rear, indicating he was in front.
No. Lorenzo done what he should have and every rider ever in same situation. .... story is peddlers was fast closing to the space. It's a racing incident. FULLS STOP.
This.
“Because I would appeal, then it looks like I go against Jorge. But, no, I am going against their decision. Which is different.”
Absolutely disgusting that Mike Webb didn't have the decency to attend and address Pedrosa's concerns. You bet your arse if it were a certain other rider he'd have been in there. I agree with him, like him or not he deserves respect, especially from the race officials. I'd love it if he had an incident this season and ignored the stewards or didn't attend a briefing.
