Brivio: Fiat Yamaha wall stays, but the competitiveness is normal

The introduction of a single-tyre rule for 2009 will not bring about the demolition of the Fiat Yamaha garage-separating wall, with Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo both remaining with their own distinct crews for their respective title challenges. The head of Rossi´s side, Davide Brivio, explained the decision to keep with a winning formula on Wednesday at the Official Test in Jerez.

`It was something that we brought in for 2008 (when the duo ran tyres from two different brands) and it worked well, so we will maintain it,´ says Brivio. `It is not an odd thing that with two riders like Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo there would be some competitiveness there.

`We found that this situation allows everybody to work in a more focused and concentrated way, and with the two different crews that we have within the team the rider can feel that he has a group working exclusively for his needs.´

The current visit to Jerez sees Rossi using both the 2008 and 2009 versions of the Yamaha M1, and Brivio indicates that it is a final chance for preparation before a concentrated program with the latest prototype.

`We´re looking to find the final specification for the 2009 bike at these tests. The target here is to check a few things to work on over the winter and look at the adjustments again in Sepang. In January we normally assemble the final specs, so this will be the last test for the latest information,´ explains the Italian.