MotoGP, Valentino Rossi asks European tester: Lin Jarvis reveals behind-the-scenes

Valentino Rossi asked for a European test driver after Johann Zarco's no. Lin Jarvis explains the real reason for the dismissal of Jonas Folger.

After the no of Johann Zarco at the Yamaha as a test driver, Valentino Rossi had launched a clear warning to the top of the team. To contribute to the development of the M1 you need a tester able to run with the times of the MotoGP riders on the track. A European pilot was expected, perhaps to take Bradley Smith from the Aprilia. Instead from Iwata they responded with the failure to renew Jonas Folger and the development entrusted to the Japanese Katsuyuki Nakasuga and Kohta Nozane.

In the Valencia and Jerez tests Yamaha was the only manufacturer not to field a test driver, although from next year he will have four official M1s on the grid. Honda had Stefan Bradl at the Ricardo Tormo, Suzuki with Sylvain Guintoli in Andalusia. Ducati and KTM have fielded their testers Michele Pirro and Dani Pedrosa on both occasions. Aprilia had Bradley Smith. Maio Meregalli, at the end of the round of interviews in Jerez, has dryly admitted that there was no news on the European test team. A void that leaves some question marks inside the Yamaha box.

AAA WANTED EUROPEAN TESTER

On the other hand, the new engine specification did not fully satisfy Valentino Rossi and the other pilots of the brand. Perhaps with the sole exception of Franco Morbidelli who showed great satisfaction. "We have always worked with Japanese test drivers"Explained Lin Jarvis in Jerez. "There are two pilots who perform the basic tests. When things are developed in Japan, we try them on our test track and sometimes at Motegi". A year ago Yamaha set up a European test team to test the final pieces on a World Championship track before delivering them to the riders.

For this purpose they had focused on the German Folger who already had experience with the M1. But during the year a problem was born: "It was difficult to compare the same information, the same feedback, the same interpretation due to the different working methods and procedures". That's why Yamaha decided in 2020 to use the same test team by entrusting each operation to the Japanese. "So there are no more European and Japanese test teams". This does not mean that Yamaha will no longer rely on European test drivers. But at the moment it is difficult to find one for MotoGP. "We need a fast driver, we need someone who can give us the exact feedback – concluded Lin Jarvis -. We know our test program and hope to have an even faster driver soon".