Petronas Yamaha SRT showed off their new racing motorbike for the 2021 MotoGP. Also, they introduced the two riders; Valentino Rossi and Franco Morbidelli which was done virtually on Monday (March 1, 2021).
Petronas Yamaha SRT launched their motorbikes with their distinctive colors, black and turquoise, exactly like last season’s pattern as used by Franco Morbidelli in the 2019 and 2020 seasons. For this season, the motorbike is still named YZR-M1.
During the event, two line-ups of Petronas SRT Yamaha riders were introduced with Valentino Rossi as their favorite accompanied by Franco Morbidelli. Yes, as we know, Fabio Quartararo replaced Valentino Rossi in the Factory Yamaha team.
It is the first time since returning to Yamaha from Ducati in 2013 that Rossi has changed teams and he has not been a satellite racer since 2001.
“This is a new experience and I can’t wait!” Rossi said at the launch of the team on the MotoGP website.
“I love the new bike, helmet and livery. I want to be competitive, fight for the podium, fight to win races and also fight for a good position in the World Championship standings.”
“We are all very focused on our target to do the best we can. I think the pairing with Franco, we are a very interesting pair of riders because we know each other very well. The whole team has a lot of motivation and I will give my best. and achieve the best results together. We are ready to start, “explained Rossi.
Meanwhile, Rossi will continue to race factory-spec bikes at Petronas this year, just like Quartararo and Vinales at Monster Yamaha. Meanwhile, Morbidelli will continue to use the “A-Spec” M1 engine.
“The YZR-M1 2021 livery is similar to the last two years,” said Morbidelli.
“What’s different from the last years is my team-mates; I hope it will be a great season for Vale and me. We have had a strong relationship over the years and we will learn a lot from each other.”
“My target for 2021 is to get better; improve myself as a person, rider and athlete. I know it is difficult and difficult because last year we were quite fast and we made great races and achieved great results. However, we have to do it, try to improve compared to 2020, so that’s my goal, trying to be better year after year, “
2021 is the momentum of Yamaha’s revival. After 2020, it will be a sweet note for Franco Morbidelli. He raced with lower motor specs than the other three Yamaha riders, but performed the best by finishing second in the final standings.
The Petronas SRT racer emerged as the 2020 MotoGP runner-up. Morbidelli finished the season with 158 points, only 13 points away from Suzuki’s Joan Mir, who won the world title.
In MotoGP 2020, which hosted 14 series, Morbidelli won three wins, the highest number of contestants, the same as Fabio Quartararo. The Brazilian Italian rider completed it with an additional two finishes on the podium and three times finished in the top 10.
“We are looking forward to next season, looking to give Franco and Valentino the best chance,” said team chief Razlan Razali.
“For Franco, this is an extraordinary opportunity to achieve even better things than his brilliant season in 2020 and for Valentino we hope the new team will give him the best opportunity to take advantage of his talents and expertise,” explained Razlan Razali.
