Valentino Rossi leads the 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix by 11 points ahead of Yamaha team-mate and championship rival Jorge Lorenzo. By the time he left Sebang, his title hopes had faded.
Rossi Had Lorenzo won by 15 points, he could have sealed the crown in the final round. The most likely scenario is that he wins and the Spaniard finishes outside the top five.
Lorenzo eventually finished second, one place ahead of Rossi. That means the gap is going into the Valencia decider of seven points.
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However, Rossi received three penalty points for his horrific incident Mark Marquez During the race, prompting a back-to-the-grid start. Although he came up to fourth place, Lorenzo’s victory was enough to take away the honor of the title.
MotoGP insiders thought it was ‘now or never’ for Valentino Rossi in 2015.
Speaking on the MotoGP documentary,Sepang Clash – 10 years“, commentator Matt Birt recalled the mood in the paddock as he presided over the race. Many felt it was Rossi’s ‘last chance’ to win an eighth premier-class title and equal Giacomo Agostini’s record.
After winning the championship in 2009, Rossi experienced a period of competition. A year later, he dropped to third place and was out of the top six in two disappointing years at Ducati.
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After returning to YamahaThe newcomer saw Marquez win titles in 2013 and 2014. This may explain why there was a sense of desperation about Rossi when Lynn Jarvis’ team took top spot in 2015.
“Valentino hasn’t won a championship since 2009,” Britt said. “There was this growing feeling in the paddock that ‘this is his time, it’s now or never, if he doesn’t win this year, he won’t win again’.”
“Valentino was leading and he saw the last chance to win the world championship,” added Lorenzo himself. “When he feels he can win, he becomes a killer.”
Jorge Lorenzo on ‘terrible’ Valentino Rossi ahead of Malaysia 2015
Lorenzo’s goal heading into the race was to keep his title ambitions under control. Rossi knew that he would be under a lot of pressure in Valencia.
“We have to rely on ourselves,” he said in the car going to the district. “In that case, he’s very scared.”
Race commentator Julian Ryder doubts this. ‘Someone’ came into Rossi’s ear After the last tournament in Australia. They accused the Italian Marquez of trying to help Lorenzo at Phillip Island.
Although the feud between the two knights cooled years later. Marquez told the fans not to attack Rossi. And instead focus on supporting him.
