Petronas Sepang Racing Team (SRT) team principal Datuk Razlan Razali admits the main challenge for the upcoming 2021 MotoGP is to make Valentino Rossi competitive again.
The 42-year old Italian will be the oldest rider on the grid when the new season kickstart in Qatar.
“Our challenge is to get him back on the podium. We hope with the new environment where it’s a bit more relaxed and with a great atmosphere present, he can settle down fast.
“He has this certain aura around him. The first time when I met him, I got goosebumps. I was starstruck when we sat down,” said Razlan.
Rossi swap places with the much younger Fabio Quartararo at Petronas SRT with the Frenchman went the opposite way to partner Maverick Vinales at the Yamaha factory team.
Meanwhile, Rossi will race the new season with his former protege Franco Morbidelli, who is currently the most successful rider who graduated from the VR46 academy after securing 2nd place behind world champion Joan Mir last season.
Rossi and Morbidelli will spearhead Petronas SRT title challenge this season.
