MotoGP: Michelin delighted at new 2008 Yamaha deal

Michelin boss Jean-Philippe Weber has spoken of his delight at Yamaha’s decision to agree a new deal to keep Valentino Rossi on Michelin rubber in the 2008 MotoGP world championship.

Michelin have come under fire in 2007 from the 28-year-old after rivals Bridgestone have embarrassingly defeated him, with Ducati rider Casey Stoner’s impressive form moving him to the brink of the world crown.

Yamaha had agreed to stick with Michelin next season before Valentino Rossi’s stunning victory in Sunday’s Estoril MotoGP in Portugal, despite rumours the Japanese factory was considering a switch to Bridgestone.

A new deal was reached after Michelin highlighted to Yamaha bosses their new development strategy to fight with Bridgestone in 2008 before Valentino Rossi clinched his fourth win of the season in Estoril.

Jean-Philippe Weber said: “I spoke to Yamaha only a few days ago. We still have to give them some more information and more details about our reaction plan.

“We didn’t have to convince Yamaha that much. We explained to them how we wanted to work. We will go more into details now we have the confirmation that they will be with us.

“That’s really positive and we are really happy to learn that decision because I think it is more coming from them than it is coming from us.

“The only thing we can do is make the recommendation, show our partners what we want to do and how we want to work.”

An agreement is still not in place with Honda’s official factory team for next season, but Jean-Philippe Weber said he was confident that a new contract would be finalised imminently.

There has been widespread rumours Estoril runner-up Dani Pedrosa is pushing hard for a switch to Bridgestone, but Weber added: “HRC should be also fixed but I’m not insisting on them signing.

“Because of our long relationship there is no need to pressure them. But the feeling I have is that we will also continue with HRC without problems.”

It was only last month Jean-Philippe Weber said Michelin would quit MotoGP if Yamaha and Honda’s factory teams dumped their tyres.