Valentino Rossi: Yamaha might have to ‘suffer’ in Austria

Valentino Rossi is wary Yamaha may need to “suffer” during this weekend's MotoGP Austrian Grand Prix, as the Red Bull Ring “on paper” does not suit the YZR-M1. 

Yamaha has struggled for pace at the Red Bull Ring since its return to the calendar in 2016, with the M1's lack of traction under acceleration leaving Rossi a distant seventh in last year's race. 

Branding last year's Austrian Grand Prix as his “worst” race, Rossi is wary of having to “suffer” once again this weekend. 

“Here is always a difficult track, especially last year I didn't enjoy a lot because we were struggling, we were struggling a lot, the most difficult race for me,” said Rossi, whose first ever grand prix podium came at the Austrian venue back in 1996.

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“Never been on the podium here [in MotoGP]. In 2016 the race was not so bad, because me and Jorge [Lorenzo] were strong in the race and not so far from the Ducati. 

“But for me was not enough for the podium. So we see, we have to try to make everything at the maximum, all the small details to try to be as strong as possible. 

“On paper, it won't be the best race track, maybe we have to suffer a bit.”

Following the post-race Brno test, Rossi feels he will be “more or less” at the same level as he was during the Czech Grand Prix after Yamaha did not find “anything better” to cure its acceleration issues, and is unsure if anything radically new will be brought to future tests.

“Monday we work a lot, but at the end we don't find something better,” he added.

“So I think our level will more or less be like in Brno. We have to see, also the weather forecast is not fantastic, so we need to be ready in all conditions. 

“I don't know a lot more than you [if Yamaha will bring anything new in future], because for me our problem is very clear, but is a long time we say [we have this problem]. 

“So it's not easy, it's important that Yamaha work, and in fact on Monday in Brno we test something. We need time, but we hope to improve our performance before the end of the season.”

Rossi tested a new aerodynamic fairing at Brno, but admits he failed to notice much difference to the current design, and won't use up his one allowed aero update by running it in Austria.

“The new fairing is very different from the outside because the design is different, and is very interesting. 

“But when you ride the bike, I don't feel a lot of difference, and Brno usually is not also the best track to use because it's very fast, very wide, you don't have a lot of wheelie. 

“So, now if you decide to use that cowling, you have to use that cowling to the end of the season, you cannot like last year decide from one track to the other. 

“So I will continue with mine, because I feel good, and after next time I will try another time.”