MotoGP Official Test 2017: Rossi Says, “It’s Very Good That Stoner Don’t Race”

In November 2016, at the post-race test, Rossi didn't like the engine when he had the first taste of the 2017-spec M1. But yesterday, he said, "The engine is the first evolution of the engine, but sincerely speaking I expected a little bit more, we are not fantastic, I think we have to work still."

Yamaha also did a private test at the same venue in November last year which improved the bike a lot. The nine-time world champion is happy and feels comfortable with the M1, even though he was not 100 percent physically fit.

The Italian said, "Fortunately it's better. Today is very interesting because of today for the first time we tried the real bikes, my bikes, that I will use for all of the seasons. In Japan they worked hard and made a better bike compared to the prototype that we had in November - engine, we worked a lot on the electronics.

"About the chassis, it's the same, but tomorrow we will have another chassis, slightly different, after our comment with the first prototype. But the bike is very beautiful."

Rossi also commented about his new team-mate Maverick Vinales' pace and style. "First of all he's very fast," he said of Viñales. "The riding style, especially in the way to brake and the way to enter the corner, is more similar to me compared to Lorenzo. Lorenzo had a more particular riding style, yes.

"Apart from that, he's very fast. He rides very well, especially in the fast parts. He's strong on braking. Also in acceleration, he picks the bike up in the right way. It's good. Sincerely it depends on the corner but in acceleration, I want to say Viñales rides more normal. Lorenzo rides more particular."

The Italian star rider also joked about his former rival and double MotoGP champion Casey Stoner, who topped the test by setting a lap time which is very close to race lap record. Rossi stated, "He's very fast, yes. It's very good that he don't race!"