And Rossi didn’t make Q2. Yamaha seem in turmoil this year (if second in title race is turmoil), especially Vinales
Just simply didn’t have the pace. He was hounded with other riders trying to follow in first half, put in 2nd spot (at that point) time, went for another lap and was up in first sector and hit morbidelli. Not literally, but slowed his second sector so he bailed and didn’t do another. Beaten by Smith...
5th row...that matter on a track that you can’t overtake on half te corner, apparently, and it’s almost impossible on the other half
He's taken to lurking around 4th or 5th. If there's a tangle up ahead he's on the podium. Can't blame him, he's certainly done his bit over the years. He's still got excellent pace but his desire for a tussle seems to have evaporated...
Can't see it tomorrow, he may make up a handful of places over the people you'd expect him to beat but Yamaha look awful at the moment, especially on this track. Zarco top qualifier in 6th with 3 Ducatis and 2 Hondas in front of him, Vinales 11th, Rossi 14th.
Statement from Yamaha.. MotoGP: Yamaha bosses issue unprecedented apology to riders Published: Today 18:44 Yamaha’s MotoGP bosses have made an unprecedented apology to riders Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales after today’s qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix, with the pair suffering a terrible day at the Spielberg circuit to line up for tomorrow’s race in 14th and 11th respectively. Addressing the media after the session, project leader Kouji Tsuya says that the continued poor performance of the bike is down in part to Yamaha – something that Rossi in particular will be pleased to hear after months spent begging Japan for help in fixing the slow-accelerating M1. Speaking afterwards, a Yamaha media representative told journalist: “We apologise on behalf of Yamaha for the poor performances of our M1 with both Maverick and Valentino This is definitely one of the worst qualifying in some time, and we hope that it is the very bottom of our crisis and that now we can get out of this crisis soon.” Speaking afterwards, team manager Maio Meregalli admitted that the weekend had been a tough one for the team – but that their full focus is on trying to find some sort of a setup to allow them to be competitive in tomorrow’s race. “Today was a very complicated day to get it right, due to the big contrast between the morning and the afternoon sessions. FP3 was wet, so it became clear early on that Vale would have to join Q1, while Maverick would promote to Q2. The change in conditions in the afternoon meant we had to try all our dry-setting options in FP4. “The dry qualifying didn't go as we expected. The riders couldn't push the way they wanted to, so the team will work hard to find a solution to the problems. The start of the race will be crucial, both riders will need a good launch from the fourth and fifth row to hit the front of the field early on. We will use the warm-up session to fine-tune the bikes for the race, regardless of the weather conditions, though we hope for either a fully dry or fully wet day. “It's been a very dark weekend for us so far and we acknowledge our responsibility for not being able to provide the riders with a package that enables them to fight at the top, where they both deserve to be, but we will continue to fight as a team, so together we can overcome the struggles and the technical issues that have held us back so far."
Totally agree with you on Yamaha being PANTS at the minute and this is just not good enough for a championship nail-biter but A Rabbit Out Of The Hat is required PDQ for all the fans
Can someone sack Simon Crafar ? Please ! And whilst you are about it, sack the fekking MotoGp TV director. I don't want to see Orange flag waving spectators when Pecco and Miguel are duking it out inches apart. Fekking twat has form for it. Andy
Great last few laps and Jlo stuffed it to Marq Good finish for Cal in 4th, Rossi couldn’t make top 5...and Smith went all the way back to where he nor allies
