Yamaha wants to retain Rossi and Lorenzo

The Fiat Yamaha racing team has revealed its intention of retaining its rider line-up for the 2011 MotoGP season.

Lin Jarvis, the Yamaha team boss said in Le Mans that the Japanese squad would like to keep its rider line-up unchanged for 2011.

Current World Champion Valentino Rossi’s contract will expire at the end of the year but up to now, it is still uncertain if the Italian will stay on with Yamaha.

Jarvis was quoted as saying in Le Mans that he is willing to retain the Italian as well as teammate Jorge Lorenzo, and he thinks Yamaha is still a very attractive team.

According to Jarvis, keeping both Rossi and Lorenzo on the team costs too much. However, Jarvis said that the team’s program calls for the two to ride for the team until next year.

“We can give them an adequate retainer for their value, plus a very interesting technical situation and bike,” Jarvis was quoted.

“I don't like market talk so early in the season. However, we must accept it, so we are doing our talks and we hope to be able to define the 2011 team by mid season, let's say by Laguna Seca, in order to be able to focus on results during the second half of the season,” Jarvis said.

When asked if they will match the offer of another team to get Lorenzo, Jarvis disclosed that the team in not ready to get into a bidding war with Ducati for Lorenzo.

“We certainly have no interest in fighting over the retainer. Fiat is very happy and they would like to go on with the same people. In any case, we'll sort out the riders first."

Source: MB