Yamaha satisfied with 2010 engine performance

Valentino Rossi’s team boss Davide Brivio believes the Italian’s hopes of capturing a 10th world title in 2010 have been massively boosted by the performance of Yamaha’s new factory YZR-M1 motor.

Rossi finished fastest in all but one of the six days of pre-season testing with the 31-year-old locked in a constant winter battle with Ducati rival Casey Stoner.

And Brivio reckons much of the credit for Rossi’s impressive winter performances should go to Yamaha’s engineering group.

Italian Rossi, who is bidding for an eighth premier class crown this year, was worried that Yamaha would struggle to match the engine performance of Ducati and Honda in 2010.

When new engine restrictions came into place at Brno last August limiting a rider to five engines for the final six races, Yamaha had to sacrifice crucial horsepower to gain durability.

In 2010, further cost-cutting measures will see a rider only able to use six engines for the entire 18-round series.

But Yamaha seems to have found performance while also gaining durability to make an engine for Rossi last for three races in 2010.

Brivio told MCN: “Last year when the new rule came out in Brno, Yamaha’s approach was quite prudent.

“We were fighting for the title and there was no point in taking a big risk. We were prudent in order to get experience and knowledge of this rule.

“Now for 2010 based on that experience we are trying to do the real job of having durability without losing power and so far it seems we have achieved good results.

“Our engine has some improvement in the low and mid-range and we are not losing on top speed. It looks like we’re in good shape with the engine.”