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TeamByTeam MotoGP Preview: Red Bull KTM

Picture Credit to Gold and Goose

I think I’ll be speaking for every MotoGP fan when I say what an exciting prospect the Red Bull KTM bike is, especially with Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith spear heading the Austrian factory outfit. The pair have proven top six credentials and one can only imagine the two creeping further and further up the points as the season progresses.

So what can we expect from the two riders this year? Smith first entered the Grand Prix stage 11 years ago, amazing to think considering how young the Briton still is. Talking in his blog, the 26 year old is expecting the opening rounds to be particularly tough. After an outstanding 2015, where he finished the season as top independent team rider in 6th, Smith had one of the most difficult years of his career last season. Now recovered from his freak accident at Oschersleben in an endurance race, both he and his Spanish team mate will be aiming to penetrate the top 15 in the opening rounds. Once more, Bradley is one of the most technically gifted riders in the current MotoGP field. He knows exactly what he wants and by the time we get to the end of the year, we (as Brits) will want Bradders to be somewhere near the top 10.

Pol Espargaro joins KTM after a stellar year on board the Tech 3 bike, only losing out on the top independent rider honours to double race winner Cal Crutchlow. The former Moto2 world champion now enters his 11th year of Grand Prix racing, and despite never tasting the champagne in the premier class, there is no doubting the young Spaniard has the ability to ruffle some feathers as he gets to grips with his new machine. The KTM has however proven difficult to ride, as Pol has already said the bike is rather violent with its power. Once more though, Pol – like Bradley – brings a wealth of experience into the team, from Moto2 and MotoGP. Both riders both coming from the same team may also enhance KTM’s understanding of where their own bike may need to improve but also where it is just fine.

In terms of out and out speed, the RC16 isn’t a million miles away from being a competitive bike. Since Mika Kallio’s wildcard in Valencia, both Espargaro and Smith have lapped within 1.3 and 1.4 seconds of Maverick Vinales at the Phillip Island test, a sign of how far the bike has progressed since the project started 15 months ago. One indicator to measure how quickly the bike is developing is by observing the distance between the bike and the front riders from the start of the weekend. It’s not so much lap time that matters but more of how big the gap is to the leaders. They may also want to use Aprilia and Suzuki’s comeback season as a benchmark – although reliability and validity would be questioned, seeing as there was open class concessions for tyres and engines and also a different tyre supplier, with Bridgestone.

What circuits have previously benefitted KTM then? Unfortunately there’s little evidence to go on seeing as their only point in the premier class was at Laguna Seca, with Shane Byrne in 2005. The Ricardo Tormo circuit was where the bike made its debut so it may make a more notable improvement in comparison to other circuits. However, the three day tests in Qatar, Malaysia and Australia would’ve done no harm in finding a base setting for when the tracks are used for racing.

For the team to be aiming for points in their second ever race is a sign of Red Bull KTM’s mind-set, so let’s not expect them to be at the back of the field for long. After all, with big money sponsorship, two incredibly technically-talented riders and a determined workforce, they could be something a little bit special in what is now considered the “Golden Age” of MotoGP.

Eliott York @journoyork

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TeamByTeam MotoGP Preview: Ecstar Suzuki

 

After taking their first win nine years last season, Suzuki haven’t come into a year as strong as they do in 2017. Although losing Maverick Vinales who joins Yamaha, the Ecstar Suzuki team have found a race winner to replace him, with Andrea Iannone heading up 2nd new signing, Alex Rins – who replaces Aleix Espargaro who departs for the Gresini Now TV Aprilia outfit. Will Suzuki build on their 2016 performance, stagnate and remain a threat at some rounds or, will they go backwards as Ducati and Aprilia up the effort?

One thing for sure is that Andrea Iannone didn’t reluctantly choose Suzuki. The Italian, who won at the Red Bull Ring last season, has been impressive in testing, consistently being in the top five or six on certain days. Iannone’s switch did come at a slight shock, as rumour has it that Aprilia did try and sign him – which would make sense seeing as it’s an Italian manufacturer. With Iannone joining a team as number one rider that may also help his confidence. He will be the one that takes Suzuki’s first podiums of 2017 and who’s to say that he won’t go on to take wins?

Talking off wins… Alex Rins partners Suzuki’s all new star-studded line up for 2017 and 2018. The former Moto3 and Moto2 Grand Prix winner and championship challenger is one of four riders to graduate from the intermediate class to the premier class. Undoubtedly quick on his day, Alex Rins’ form has been fluctuating more than the British Pound post-Brexit. 2nd at Brno, 7th at Silverstone, 2nd at Misano, 6th at Aragon and a 20th at Motegi were his mid – to – end season results last year. One may argue that he’s consistently in the top 10, however, to have such fluctuating form can be worrying. Maybe MotoGP will sort Rins out – surely he could take a podium this season?

The Suzuki squad returned in 2015 but it took them to the French Grand Prix last season to take a podium, with Vinales. It was at Silverstone where the team took their first win though, highlighting the fact that the bike likes cool temperatures and also quite fiddly circuits, with a lot of point and squirt corners and fast direction changes. The bike is by no means the fastest in a straight line but that can be countered in the corners. Maverick Vinales showed last year just how many liberties you can take with the bike. If it had a bit more power, it’d be a threat all season round.

So what circuits does the bike go well at? It’s very hard to say given it only really came good last season, although Le Mans was good for them – as they achieved a double top six and a podium with the aforementioned Vinales. The win at Silverstone was backed up with a 7th by Aleix Espargaro, who battled with Jorge Lorenzo for most of the race. The Japanese GP was also kind to them, with Vinales 3rd and Aleix 4th. Could they be a more prominent threat throughout 2017?

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

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TeamByTeam MotoGP Preview: Factory Ducati

2016 finally saw the Ducati team flourish, not just once, but twice. Andrea Iannone – after causing much controversy in the first half of the year – redeemed himself when he won the Austrian Grand Prix, ending Ducati’s six year win drought. Teammate Andrea Dovizioso repeated the feat in Malaysia, making it the first time both factory Ducati riders had won a race each since 2007 with Casey Stoner and Loris Capirossi. But in 2017, Jorge Lorenzo joins the team and they’ll definitely want more than just the odd win.

Jorge Lorenzo makes the dramatic switch from Yamaha to Ducati for 2017, leaving the team which he has been part of for nine seasons, which also brought him three world championships. This new adventure with Ducati is one that has been met with conflicting ideas amongst fans. Some say Lorenzo could be a huge shock in 2017 and that some people are simply underestimating his ability on two-wheels. Whereas others are more sceptical of whether or not he can win on the Ducati in the first season of being there. At first, I thought the Spaniard’s riding style would be far too smooth for the Italian outfit, and that maybe more aggressive riders would succeed. But, Lorenzo has been in truly great form in testing, so come Qatar – a track he has three premier class victories at – he could be a bit of a dark horse. Whether he can sustain the pace throughout the year is another question.

Andrea Dovizioso remains at Ducati for the fifth consecutive season. One of nine different winners last season, Dovi will be searching for more than just the flash in the pan performance he had in Malaysia. Always starting the season off strongly, Dovizioso has has a tendency to fade off in the mid-season, often costing him a run at the championship. One thing you’ll be guaranteed of with Andrea however, is consistency. Despite being wiped out of the front positions in Argentina and the USA, Dovi had a relatively faultless season last year, in terms of finishing. Two weird crashes at Le Mans and Assen were the only blots on his copy book. Now in his 10th year in MotoGP, Dovi knows that this year, he must take it to Marquez, Rossi and Vinales if he is to prove to us all that he can string a title challenging season together.

The Ducati itself will be missing one of its main features for the 2017 championship. The ban of winglets has by far effected Ducati the most, after hours of development and testing were spent on enhancing the wings on the front of the bike. However, Ducati have a ‘resolution’ to this – but it isn’t pretty. Two enormous ‘wings within fairing’ style holes are situated either side of the intake, making the bike look very much like a box from front view. But, what does that matter if it goes quickly? It is without doubt the fastest bike in the championship and I genuinely expect speeds to surpass 220mph at Mugello.

In terms of form, Ducati have always got their season off to solid starts. For the past two seasons, one of their bikes has got onto the podium in Qatar – both did in 2015. Austin has also proved to be a decent circuit, with a podium there every season since 2014. Mugello is one of their favourites, especially in qualifying so expect an upset there, especially seeing as Jorge Lorenzo has won the past two races there and also the fact that Michele Pirro will more than likely show up. Their favourite circuit after last year must surely be the Red Bull Ring though. A 1-2 finish in 2016 will give them not only the confidence to do well there again but the base setting too. One of their least favourite circuits based on results is Misano (the manufacturer’s home track), where there last podium was with Valentino Rossi in 2012 and their last win was 2007 with Casey Stoner.

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

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Gerhard Berger Is New DTM Boss

(c) dtm.com

In an attempt to improve the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, series‘ governing body is under restructuration and appointed Gerhard Berger as its new boss.

Former Formula 1 driver and team co-owner Berger will replace Hans Werner Aufrecht, who led ITR for over 30 years. The Austrian will return to the managerial role for the first time since he left the FIA single-seater commission at the end of 2014.

Commenting on his new role, Berger said: “I started my motor-racing career in touring car racing and always followed DTM with a lot of interest. DTM is a top-class product with independent, powerful regulations, with strong manufacturers, top sponsors, important international partnerships and many fans.

This is a good starting point with great potential for the future. The first task I will focus on in the coming weeks is gaining a deeper insight into the details with the support of my colleagues. We will then use this strong basis for creating a joint strategy for the future. While doing so, I consider the further development of our international partnerships – also with regards to new manufacturers –, spectacular racing cars that also command the drivers’ respect as well as a format combining both sport and entertainment as particularly important”.

Although Berger himself ran in only one DTM race (8th place in Zolder 1985), he is connected to the series through his nephew Lucas Auer who will spend his third season as a Mercedes-AMG driver this year.

Tomasz Kubiak

Twitter: @tomekkubiak

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The BMW-Williams Era

 

A six-season partnership that for four years were the upstarts in the face of the all-conquering combination of Michael Schumacher.

Williams lost their factory Renault engines at the end of 1997 and it took until 2000 for them to find another factory engine with BMW. The first line-up of that era featured the experienced Ralf Schumacher in his second year with the team and 20-year-old rookie Jenson Button – at the time the youngest ever Formula One driver.

While expectations for their season back in Formula One were low, 2000 proved to be a solid start to the season for BMW Williams. Ralf Schumacher’s consistent driving took him to fifth place with 24 points (Only the top 6 scored in those days) behind the dominant Ferrari and McLaren quartet of Michael Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello, Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard. Button impressed in his first season, finishing a solid eighth on 12 while the team’s three podiums all went to Schumacher, with third place finishes in Australia, Belgium and Italy.

2001 was BMW Williams’ breakthrough year. Juan Pablo Montoya joined from Indycars after success in Champ cars and the Indianapolis 500 joined and Button was loaned to the ailing Benetton team. The BMW engine was more powerful and Montoya was in line for his first victory in just his third race at the Brazilian Grand Prix, before a bizarre accident when lapping the Arrows of Jos Verstappen as the Dutchman drove over the back of the Colombian’s car.

Ralf Schumacher took the first victory for Williams since 1997 at the San Marino Grand Prix, dominating after snatching the lead from David Coulthard at the start of the race. His second career win was historic in that it was the first time in Formula One history that siblings had finished first and second as he led home Michael at the Canadian Grand Prix. Schumacher’s third victory came during his home race at the final race around the old Hockenheimring later that season.

Montoya did win a race in his debut season despite a number of technical issues and collisions when he was the class of the field at the Italian Grand Prix. Schumacher finished the season fourth, just seven points behind Barrichello as his brother walked away with his fourth World Drivers’ Championship. Montoya was beaten to fifth by the retiring Hakkinen, the team taking four wins and a further five podiums on their way to third in the standings.

Ferrari were to increase their stranglehold over F1 in 2002, although on occasion Williams did threaten. Williams overhauled McLaren, but their only victory in 2002 was a splendid 1-2 led home by Ralf at the Malaysian Grand Prix to provide the fans and paddock with ultimately false hope that Ferrari would be challenged after 2001. In reality, Ferrari were never off the podium and won the Constructors’ Championship by 129 points, with Williams second on 92.

The 2003 season was as good as it got for BMW Williams. Montoya’s excellent form during the summer almost won him the title, with points npw awarded to the top eight. Ralf Schumacher’s fifth place saw the team finish a much closer second to Ferrari in the constructors in what was the closest Championship fight since 1999.

An indifferent first six races for Montoya heralded three retirements and 15 points as Williams initially struggled for consistency. His season was transformed after victory at the Monaco Grand Prix, during which he led home Raikkonen and Michael Schumacher as the trio were covered by 1.7 seconds.

That victory sparked a run of eight straight podiums including another win at a crash-strewn German Grand Prix lap to leave the Colombian three points behind Schumacher with two races left. Ralf briefly brought himself into contention with a stellar run of form as he won two straight races at the European and French Grands Prix, before tailing off with bad luck and injury.

A drive-through penalty for a collision with Barrichello at the US Grand Prix served just as the heavens opened meant Montoya was condemned to sixth place, which combined with Schumacher’s victory ended his title aspirations with one race left.

After a strong 2003, big things were expected for a 2004 that never took off. BAR and Renault became F1’s new kids on the block and Montoya was on the podium only three times. His triumph at the Brazilian Grand Prix at the end of the season was the last of the BMW era.

Ralf Schumacher suffered broken vertebrae in his back at the US Grand Prix and was forced to miss six races, with his place taken firstly by Marc Gene and Antonio Pizzonia. With Montoya fifth, he was ninth in the standings as BMW Williams limped to fourth in the Constructors’ Championship.

Montoya left to join McLaren for 2005 and Schumacher joined the ambitious Toyota outfit, and the final season of BMW’s association with Williams was contested with Mark Webber and Nick Heidfeld at the helm.

Heidfeld was on the podium in Malaysia before a famous 2-3 finish behind the imperious Raikkonen at Monaco, but results dried up as BMW announced their intentions to buy Sauber to form their own factory team.

Webber would end the season tenth on 36 points while Heidfeld left Williams 11th on 28 after missing the final five races, with the team fifth in the Constructors’ Championship in their final year with BMW.

Williams did not buy customer engines from BMW for 2006 and thus ended a six-season partnership during which they scored 10 wins, with 2003 a highlight as they challenged for the title for the only time since Jacques Villeneuve’s 1997 triumph.

After spells with Cosworth, Toyota and Renault the team are now supplied by Mercedes and came closest to winning only their second Grand Prix since the BMW contract ended with a front row lockout by Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas.

The majority of the BMW era will be remembered for Williams being the only team to consistently mount a challenge to the Ferrari juggernaut.

Jack Prentice @JPrentice8

Image Courtesy of Matthew Pigg

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Scuderia Ferrari – Season Preview

Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.
Wednesday 08 March 2017.
World Copyright: Zak Mauger/LAT Images
ref: Digital Image _L0U5019

Ferrari can consider themselves to be one of the teams that had a successful winter’s work in Barcelona during testing.

Both Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel set the two quickest times around the Circuit De Catalunya, and they’ve done enough to have the Mercedes camp worried.

It’s not just on outright pace, where Ferrari were clearly holding back, that the Prancing Horse were competitive.

The Scuderia completed almost 1,000 laps and along with Mercedes were the only team to complete Grand Prix distance runs on multiple occasions.

It is important not to take testing as gospel, despite Lewis Hamilton’s best attempts to make Ferrari favourites after an intriguing pre-season.

After a solid 2015, Ferrari were predicted to take 2016 by storm but as the season wore on it became clear that they were flattering to deceive, with strategic errors in Australia and Canada and failure to develop the car as the season wore on.

After himself having a tumultuous season last year, Vettel wasn’t quick to point out that the Barcelona form guide is only a vague one.

“It’s impossible to predict anything,” he told Sports Bild. “Even the tests in Barcelona only give a basic idea where you stand.

“It is only in the first race that you will know how well you and the others have worked over the winter. We’ll only get real clarity after three or four races.”

Despite his caution, Vettel still that a title at Ferrari is still in the question, after his predecessor Fernando Alonso left after he lost confidence in the Maranello squad.

Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.
Tuesday 07 March 2017.
World Copyright: Sam Bloxham/LAT Images
ref: Digital Image _SLB3905

“If not, I wouldn’t go to the start grid.

“All I can say is that the spirit in the team is good, everyone is working for everyone else’s benefit.”

Raikkonen, who won the 2007 World Championship with Ferrari, believes that the team have made a step forward compared to last year.

“There are a few small issues but if we look a year ago, we are in a much stronger position. The car is reliable and we have to be positive with how we have gone forward as a team.”

Jack Prentice @JPrentice8

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Toro Rosso – Season Preview

It all started on the 26th February 2017, it was a sunny evening at the Circuit de Catalunya when the car was unveiled to the world in their stunning new colours. We start the season with our two returning drivers, Danill Kvyat and Carlos Sainz, only one of three teams to retain the same lineup as the previous year.

During winter testing in Spain, the team notched up 584 laps (2718km), with Sainz setting a 1.19.837 and Kvyat setting a 1.20.416. Let’s forget about the times, as none of the teams were pushing 100%. During the test, we saw a problem with the ERS system of all the Renault engined cars which heavily restricted the mileage from the boys. We know Renault will be working hard to fix the problem in time for the Australian GP.

Talking about the Australian GP, Toro Rosso is one of the midfield teams and if Renault can fix its problems with the engine, they could become the best midfield team. As any team, they will want a strong first race.

As always there is big pressure on the two drivers with Pierre Gasly waiting in the wings for a seat either at Toro Rosso or Red Bull both drivers will have to be at the top of their game right from the off as too many mistakes can cost you your seat as we saw last year.

Otherwise, I predict a great year for the team and drivers:

Sainz finishing 10th in the driver’s championship

Kvyat finishing 13th in the driver’s championship

Toro Rosso finishing 5th in the constructor’s championship

Richard Hindson

Image Courtesy of PitSpy

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Hill, Rosberg and the Legend of Williams

History has special significance in the world of Formula One.

A comprehensive list of special history making feats is a story for another time, instead and in celebration of the Williams F1 team, we look at their part in the careers of two drivers who each form one part of the only two father and son combinations to have won drivers titles; Damon Hill and Nico Rosberg.

Damon Hill

What else can be said about the son of F1 Champion Graham Hill except for legendary. For many, Hill will forever trigger memories of the blue and white colour’s of the Rothmans Williams team, with whom he won his title in 1996. It was the combination of Frank Williams & Patrick Head that gave Hill, then 33, a seat and rest, as they say, is history.

Hill spent 3 seasons will Williams, culminating in his historic title win during the 1996 season. But it was his steadfast determination, guts and tough skin that saw him move from spinning out in his first race to taking three victories by seasons end in 1993.

1994 will forever be remembered as modern F1’s darkest year, the year we lost Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger. Senna had been Hill’s teammate and at the wheel of the Williams during the San Marino Grand Prix. Hill, through the storm cloud of grief and anger that fell over F1, lead the team as team leader through what remains a painful wound on the soul of F1 and finished 2nd in the championship to Michael Schumacher.

1995 proved difficult for Hill, but in 1996 he would prove his detractors wrong, by cementing his place in history and becoming Drivers World Champion. While it would prove to be his last with Williams, Hill rewarded the faith that Sir Frank had placed in him, which would be repeated with another driver many years later.

Nico Rosberg

The reigning world champion retired at the end of the 2016 season to the sadness of many of his fans. While his title was achieved under the banner of the Mercedes F1 team, like Hill, Rosberg too had Williams place faith in his young talent.

The son of F1 champion Keke Rosberg, began his career at the Williams team in 2006. His exploits in the Engineering aptitude test aside, Rosberg spent 4 seasons with the team and immediately broke a record in the first season, becoming the then youngest driver to set a fastest lap.

In 2008 he scored his first podium in F1 and also lead a Grand Prix for the first time under the floodlights of Singapore, which ultimately saw him finish in 2nd place.

2009 and his final season, Rosberg single handedly gave Williams 6th place in the constructors championship, earning every point for his team.

Williams had placed faith in a rookie driver, who relied on his intelligence and skill, much like Hill, and gave him a break into F1. More importantly, they kept him in the team based on his skill before he moved to Mercedes and his eventual title.

What, you may ask, is Williams role in these history making title wins? The answer to that is simple: Williams have over their many years in F1 looked to nurture talent and break boundaries by placing their faith in drivers who they could see the bigger brighter future with.

Williams have always had a firm place in the hearts of most drivers for the way in which Sir Frank was unapologetic for his choices in drivers, even when the paddock questioned him. You may say, “well they would have probably got a drive elsewhere”.

They didn’t, their drives were with Williams. The tenure of an F1 driver is one of the most uncertain things about the sport and many a rookie is simply not given the time and support to prove his worth. Williams put faith in both Hill and Rosberg, supported them and saw them gain the experience that was necessary to take their respective eventual titles.

That’s arguably all a driver wants… and a fast car of course!

Rhea Morar, deputy F1 editor

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TeamByTeam MotoGP Preview: Repsol Honda

Repsol Honda come into 2017 with an unchanged line-up for the fifth consecutive season, with the Spanish duo of Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa. The Factory HRC effort this year sees a bike that once again has proved difficult in testing, with only Phillip Island showing signs of a bike capable of riding at the front. Then again, one of their riders is Marc Marquez, so anything is possible.

The 5-time champion put common sense before tradition last year, putting points before victories and finishing all the races prior to taking his title victory in Japan. Of his 55 wins so far, some of his best came last year, with a splendid ride in Austin and a mesmerising tactical victory in Germany. At just 24, he has already rocked the MotoGP paddock with his sheer class, speed and radical style, revolutionising the way a rider treats a bike. But the question is how much long can he keep doing it. Countless times last year saw Marc almost bin the Honda, most notably the penultimate corner at Brno in Free Practice. Will Marc make it six titles come the end of the season?

Alongside Marquez is Dani Pedrosa, who is becoming known as the perfect number two rider. The Catalan rider took one victory on his way to 6th overall, his lowest finish in his GP career since his debut in the paddock back in 2001. His victory in Misano was however a demonstration that the diminutive 31-year-old Spaniard has, on his day, some real shine about him. An injury during the Japanese Grand Prix meant that he didn’t score points in the final four rounds, finishing just 14 points ahead of Cal Crutchlow overall. Just three podiums for Dani last year is awful considering he’s a factory rider, meaning 2017 is a big year for him to prove his worth.

The Honda itself is down on power in comparison with Ducati and Yamaha. 230HP might seem a lot to us not sat on the thing but at circuits like Mugello, Losail and Catalunya, it may be more noticeable. Its lightweight carbon-fibre body frame does however mean that the bike relatively light and along with Marquez and Pedrosa, that could prove vital.

As far as circuits are concerned, COTA is a circuit the team is yet to fail to take the win at. Losail has been a mixed bag for the squad, not taking a win there since 2014. Argentina has seen Marquez win two out of three races there. The only track the team is yet to take a podium at is the Red Bull Ring, but after just one year of the circuit returning, that may not mean a great deal.

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

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TeamByTeam MotoGP Preview: Movistar Yamaha

Having finished in the top two of the championship for the last nine seasons, of which five have been title victories, the Factory Yamaha Team have all the credentials to make it yet another unforgettable season. With the perfect mix of experience in Italian veteran Valentino Rossi and youth and exuberance in Maverick Vinales, we could already be seeing the top two in the 2017 title race.

When Valentino Rossi signed for yet another two seasons with Yamaha at Losail last year, I was stunned. Stunned by how early he had signed but also by the fact that he will be 39 come the end of his renewed contract. He proved last year though that age is just a number, taking two wins on his way to his third consecutive runner-up position in the title. The GOAT has started an incredible 348 races across all classes, of which he has 221 podiums. Will Rossi pursue the title for yet another season and fight off the young blood? Will 2017 go back to Tavulia?

One rider out to stop Rossi in his tracks is new teammate and MotoGP hot-shot Maverick Vinales. The former world champion took a cracking victory at Silverstone last year on his Suzuki meaning that Yamaha have already signed a rider who’s done the business. He has topped all four-pre-season tests (including Valencia) and has been considerably quicker than ‘The Doctor’. Vinales is so far showing no signs of issues regarding his transition to Yamaha, which is a dangerous prospect given the 22-year-old’s pace so far. Could Maverick finish the season as Top Gun?

The Yamaha itself has undergone something of a facelift too. Remaining with Movistar sponsorship means that the bike itself looks the same but as proven in testing, Yamaha had a trick or two up their sleeve. They were the first team to bring out ‘winglets’ within the actual fairing – which is deemed OK after the external winglet ban from 2017 onwards. Over 240HP can be produced from the bike, meaning that although it may not be on-par with the Ducati team, it’s still a pretty nippy bike! Valentino Rossi has played a pivotal part in the development of the bike ever since he joined the team in 2004. Can it be turned into a winner in 2017?

As far as circuits are concerned, there’s only two of which the team have never won at. Circuit of the Americas is Marc Marquez’ Happy Hunting Ground and the Red Bull Ring, which is Ducati city. The Yamaha suits fast direction changes with agility and smoothness through the corners, so Misano, Phillip Island, Mugello and Brno could all be particularly good circuits for them. The team has been on the podium at the opening round of the season every year since 2007, so Losail could be a strong indicator for the team’s season to come.

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

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