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Valentino Rossi has suggested that Yamaha’s MotoGPs engineers have now taken to running away from him as a result of his constant demands for an acceleration breakthrough.
The manufacturer enjoyed its best result of the season at the Sachsenring last weekend, scoring its first double podium of 2018 as Rossi and Maverick Vinales finished second and third.
But defeat at the hands of Honda’s Marc Marquez in defeat means Yamaha is now in the middle of its longest winless streak in the MotoGP era – with its current 19-race wait for victory run exceeding the 18-race spell it endured between late 2002 and the start of ’04.
Rossi identified electronics as an area where Yamaha has lagged behind rivals Honda and Ducati at the start of the year, and has reiterated the need for a step in this area several times since.
Speaking after his podium in Germany, the 39-year-old joked that his demands were becoming so predictable that staff at Yamaha’s Lesmo headquarters were now avoiding him.
“I’m putting a lot of pressure on those at Yamaha, and now they cannot stand me anymore and when they see me they run away,” he said.
“Every day I’m there I’m urging them because we need something on acceleration.
“The reality is it did not help much, but we hope [there is some progress], because the championship is still long and I would like to try to fight to win before the end of the year.”
Midway through the season, Rossi is second in the championship and 46 points behind Marquez, despite having not yet won a race.
With 10 races remaining, the Italian suggested he could still reduce the gap should Yamaha find more performance after the summer break.
“We have to start winning races again,” said Rossi. “Marquez is 46 points ahead, but more importantly he is stronger, so realistically it’s hard.
“Nonetheless we’ll try every way as always. There are still 10 races. If the Japanese give us a hand and we can resolve our little problems.
“This bike handles better than last year’s and I’ve said that since the first time I rode it, but it lacks a bit to be there [at the front].”