Yamaha have added to the well wishes given to Valentino Rossi following his 2009 MotoGP World Championship success, the Italian claimed his ninth world title across all sessions at Sepang with third place in the Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix, victorious over Fiat Yamaha colleague Jorge Lorenzo on Sunday.

The competition between the two competitors was commended by Lin Jarvis, who described the choice to bring Rossi to Yamaha in 2004 as the best in the factory’s racing history.

“The whole squad here was very much involved in bringing Valentino over to Yamaha, and it’s been the best thing we’ve ever done perhaps in Yamaha’s racing history,” states Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing. “Valentino now winning four titles with Yamaha is incredible and I’m happy he’s won more titles with Yamaha than any other manufacturer. It was a great decision and altogether we make a great team. My compliments to Vale, Davide (Brivio, Rossi’s team manager) and the squad, they did a great job.”

 

“I don’t think I can convince Valentino to continue racing (after 2010), that’s up to him, but I’ll certainly do my best to make sure he’s on a Yamaha if he does,” adds Jarvis.

 

“As Vale says himself, he’ll make his decision in the middle of next year and hopefully he’ll continue with Yamaha. He’s been a great ambassador. I want to pay compliments to the whole team because it’s been tough this year and there has been quite a lot of internal competition!”

Jarvis continued to explain the way in which Rossi and Lorenzo have handled their rivalry.

“Obviously having two riders competing for the championship is quite stressful for everybody concerned, and I’m really happy we arrived here – as I hoped and thought we would –without any incident, either on or off the track. I think the behaviour and maturity of the two riders has been really special, and also the teamwork of our people,” Jarvis ends.

Masao Furusawa, Executive Officer of Engineering Operations for Yamaha Motor Company, also commented on working with Rossi.

“Valentino always helps us, not only in the development of the bike but the setting up. Also he helps me with philosophical hints! Off the track we are good friends despite the age difference,” says Furusawa.

 

“Valentino is a very, very important rider for Yamaha, and also Jorge is, but especially Valentino. I have worked with him for six years and sometimes we’ve had sad times, like in 2006 and 2007. My goal in MotoGP is winning with Valentino, and maybe one day Valentino will stop in MotoGP, but I’d like to ask him to complete his MotoGP career with Yamaha.”