MotoGP: Yamaha clarify Lorenzo status, 2008 tyres.

[Rory Phoulorie]

Thursday, 13th September 2007

Fiat Yamaha team director Davide Brivio made an unusual appearance at the pre-event press conference ahead of this weekend's Portuguese Grand Prix, where he was able to confirm several significant aspects of Yamaha's 2008 line-up.

The Italian stated that reigning 250cc world champion Jorge Lorenzo will be a full factory rider, with Valentino Rossias his team-mate, and thus directly replace Colin Edwards.

"The factory team next year will be Valentino Rossi and Lorenzo, simply a two rider team like any other," said Brivio, responding to speculation that the pair may ride in separate teams. "Jorge Lorenzo will replace Colin Edwards in our team."

It is already known that Edwards will move to the satellite Tech 3 Yamaha team alongside James Toseland, while Fiat has signed to be the factory Yamaha team's title sponsor for the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Nevertheless, Fortuna is rumoured to be keen to keep Lorenzo in its colours...

In terms of tyre supplier, Brivio ended any speculation that Yamaha could sever its Michelin ties - after a troubled season - by announcing that the factory M1s will stay on the French rubber next year. However, Brivio said that he was unable to speak for the Tech 3 team, which he claimed will make its own decision. Tech 3 currently uses Dunlops.

Finally, Brivio announced that Rossi will continue to use the new Yamaha engine, featuring pneumatic valves. The engine failed after just five laps on its race debut at Misano, but the problem was not associated with the new technology and is "our future".

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