Valentino Rossi’s relationship with Yamaha went through several phases and 2010 was not a good year for either. As Lin Jarvis recalls, this season the nine-time champion forced Yamaha to choose between him and Jorge Lorenzo.
“Managing the two of them in the garage wasn’t an easy matter. In 2010 he said “Me or Lorenzo” which is unacceptable to us. Our relationship started to deteriorate and there was a lot of bitterness, ‘the current Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing and Team Principal of the Yamaha team in MotoGP.
With the move from Rossi to Ducati in 2011, he returned to the 2013 season. Jarvis recalled that it had been difficult to make the Italian’s return to Iwata a reality, but it happened because those responsible had reasons and beliefs that a such a move would be beneficial for Yamaha.
“Jorge Lorenzo won the title with us in 2010 and 2012. So it was very, very complicated and difficult to get your opponent back into the team. Valentino’s first contact with us came from his team. Some people at Yamaha didn’t want it back, but I saw the benefits for the brand and I was convinced it would be a good deal. So I went to see Valentino at his house in Tavullia and we talked a lot. It was a very special moment after our relationship deteriorated so much, ‘said Jarvis Matt Oxley, according to PaddockGP.