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The nine-time grand prix world champion was pulled from Yamaha’s factory team for 2021 earlier in the year to make way for Fabio Quartararo to join Maverick Vinales.
Rossi originally wanted the first six or seven races of the 2020 season to determine if he was competitive enough to continue, but the coronavirus pandemic ruined this plan.
He confirmed at the beginning of the season in Jerez in July that he was “99%” to sign for Petronas, but the discussions continued for months afterwards, as both sides sought to finalize certain elements, the key point is what the crew moves with Rossi to Petronas.
On Thursday, Rossi announced that the agreement would likely be signed this weekend in Barcelona, confirming that team chief David Muñoz, data engineer Matteo Flamigni and driver’s coach Idalio Gavira would be the only members of his team. current who would join him.
On Saturday, Petronas and Yamaha confirmed that Rossi had signed a one-year contract to ensure that his grand prix career extends into the 26th season.
“I am very happy to continue riding in 2021 and to do so with the PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team,” said Rossi. “I thought a lot before making this decision, because the challenge is getting hotter. To be at the top of MotoGP you have to work hard and hard, train every day and lead an ‘athlete’s life’, but still I like and still want to ride.
“In the first half of the year I made my choice and spoke to Yamaha, who agreed with me. They told me that even if there was no place for me in the Factory Team, the factory bike and factory support were guaranteed.
“I am very happy to move to PETRONAS Yamaha SRT. They are young, but they have proven to be a top team. They are very serious and very well organized. For this year I also changed team chief. I am very I am happy with David, and I think We have not yet reached our best level, that was one of the reasons why I decided to continue, because the atmosphere of the team is something that I really like.
“It will be good to have Franco as my teammate, since he is an Academy rider, it will be great. I think we can work together to make good things happen.”
Rossi was expected to sign a 1 + 1 agreement, although any additional contracts after 2021 will only be presented if all parties are happy to continue together.
Next year will also be Rossi’s 16th as a Yamaha rider, having joined the Japanese brand from Honda as a three-time MotoGP world champion, and returned in 2013 after a difficult two-year stint at Ducati between 2011 and 2011. 2012.
Rossi has recorded 65 of his 89 premier-class victories with Yamaha and four of his seven world-class titles. A podium this weekend at the Catalan GP would mark his 200th in the premier class.
He will partner with his protégé Franco Morbidelli at Petronas next year, who signed a new two-year contract several months ago.
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