Valentino Rossi says he 'studied' Tech3 Yamaha's Jonas Folger's 2017 German Grand Prix performance, and claimed this helped him to secure second in Sunday's race.
Rossi began the Sachsenring weekend 17th on the timesheets at the end of practice, but managed to put his Yamaha sixth on the grid in qualifying.
Working his way up to second by lap 16, Rossi was able to cut down eventual winner Marc Marquez's lead to seven tenths at one stage, thought ultimately lost touch with the Honda rider in the closing stages.
Rookie Folger, who was forced to sit out his sophomore campaign due to illness, fought Marquez for most of the 2017 German race, eventually finishing second for his maiden podium success.
Wary of the German venue typically not being one of Yamaha's strongest, Rossi says he studied “all the lines” and how Folger set up his M1 for last year's Sachsenring race, admitting this proved to be a “good help” in his quest to achieve a similar result.
“Usually the Sachsenring is a difficult track for the M1, but we [Yamaha] were able to make a double podium,” Rossi, who remains second in the standings and 46 points down on the lead, said after the race.
“So, from last week, I look the race of last year of Folger and I say, 'F**k, Folger was good with the Yamaha', so we have to do the same.
“At the end I do the same position, I'm happy and it's a great way to go on holiday.”
Adding in the press conference: “For me Folger's race last year was important, because mentally I remember I arrived here last year and I was not comfortable with the bike, not strong enough.
“But Folger last year didn't know that it's a difficult track for the Yamaha and he did a fantastic race, at the level of Marc, so he stayed there in the fight.
“So I studied everything of Folger, all the race, all the lines, in which way he rode the bike, in which way he set the bike, and I think it's a good help for me: the race of Folger last year.
“So I have to give him the trophy.”
When asked about Yamaha's recent upturn in form following five back-to-back races in which a factory M1 rider has appeared on the podium, Rossi says the “balance of the bike” has allowed him to be stronger, but admits he still needs “help from Japan” to improve the electronics.
“In the end, in the last period, we find something, especially with the balance of the bike that [allows us] to arrive in a better way.
“In fact, me and Maverick [Vinales] we are more strong, we are second and third in the championship.
“But for me, we need a small help from Japan to improve the electronic system to help with acceleration. The season is so long, I push with all my force and I hope help [will come] from Japan.”
