Ever since the news broke that 250cc World Champion Jorge Lorenzo would be moving to MotoGP with Yamaha, there had been intense speculation about how the young Spaniard's role would be fit into the Yamaha team. Normally, the matter would be settled quite simply, as a young and promising rookie would be slotted in as the junior rider with the seasoned veteran, but in Lorenzo's case, this required a little more tact. Valentino Rossi has made no secret of his antagonism towards the Spanish prodigy, with Lorenzo's post-race antics and considerable ego not sitting well with the Italian, and it was whispered that Rossi had demanded that Lorenzo be placed in a team of his own. This even made financial sense, as Lorenzo brings with him a large amount of Spanish tobacco sponsorship from Altadis.

Now, though, Davide Brivio, manager of the Fiat Yamaha team has made it clear that Rossi and Lorenzo will be team mates next year. "It's official, Rossi and Lorenzo will share a garage, and be team mates," Brivio stated. When asked whether Rossi has objected to sharing a garage with Lorenzo, Brivio was clear: "Yamaha chooses who rides for the factory team, not Rossi."

Jorge Lorenzo recently took his first ride on the Yamaha M1 at a tire test at Almeria in Spain, a test at which Brivio was present. Both the Yamaha team and the Michelin representatives were impressed with the Spaniard's pace. So impressed, in fact, that Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Racing, stated his belief that Lorenzo will make an instant impact. "I think he will be very, very fast," Jarvis told Motorcycle News.