Jorge Lorenzo says he sees it as "normal" that his Yamaha team would prefer his team-mate Valentino Rossi to win, rather than himself, because the Italian is a more popular and likeable figure.
The Spaniard won his third title last season, beating Rossi by just five points, and says the result left some people within the team "with a weird feeling", but believes this is normal as Rossi winning is better for Yamaha's motorbike sales.
"I have never been worried about Rossi being more media-friendly and that he has more photographers around him," Lorenzo told Motorsport.com. "I even see it as normal that Yamaha prefers him to win because of his popularity, because that way it would have sold more bikes.
"To me, the only thing that matters is to have the same equipment because I trust in my abilities and I know that with those rules I will do well. In that sense, this company is Japanese and very serious and it has always supported me as much as possible."
When asked whether he considered vetoing Rossi as a team-mate during contract renewal talks with Yamaha, the 28-year-old replied: "I have never vetoed Valentino or any other team-mate, not even when I had the chance to do it. I'm aware that Rossi is beneficial for the brand, both on and off the track. It's good that it goes on that way.
"We have a very complete structure, we had secured the triple crown, and that without a competitive pairing is impossible."
