The Italian, who after leaving Suzuki at the end of 2020 has developed the functions of race director at the Alpine Formula 1 team this season, landed in MotoGP in 2002 , after extensive experience in the world of Superbikes.
Yamaha hired him to perform the functions of team manager of the MotoGP structure. A year after his landing on the tuning fork brand, Brivio and Lin Jarvis , who was already the company’s director in the paddock, conspired to launch one of the most celebrated offenses ever.
The situation played on his given side. Rossi had been passing the roller for three years as Honda ‘s flagship, but the sufficiency with which he was imposing himself and the lack of competition among the other constructors –Yamaha had not celebrated a title since 1992, with Wayne Rainey–, established the belief that the success corresponded more to the bike than to the rider, and that almost anyone could prevail as long as they competed on an NSR, first, or an RC211V , later. The math is very revealing in this case: in the 11 courses between 1993 and 2003, Yamaha won 24 grands prix, while Honda won 117, almost five times as many.
That was the fiber that Brivio and Jarvis struck and that encouraged Il Dottore to face the biggest challenge of his career. The story seems much simpler than it really was, especially when one has the opportunity to sit down with one of the architects of that operation. And above all, because even within Yamaha itself there were people who did not see Rossi’s arrival clearly, due to the compensation it could bring if things did not go as planned.
“At first, Yamaha did not want to sign Rossi, because there was a current that, if he won, everyone would think that he would win, that it would only be his merit. And that, if he didn’t win, the focus of blame would be on the bike,” Brivio told Motorsport.com. “The one who changed that thought was Masao Furusawa , who in 2003 (June) became the project leader. It was he who convinced the president of Yamaha that Valentino had to be hired. Between all of us we convinced the leadership that, in order to win, it was essential to have a top driver. Honda won, yes, but they did it with the best: Doohan, Rossi”, adds the Italian, who remains silent about a possible return to MotoGP, again at Suzuki.
(Before reading on, click on this link or scroll through the images to see photos of Valentino Rossi’s debut on Yamaha in 2004)
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
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Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
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Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
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Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
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Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
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Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
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Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
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Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
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Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
Photo de: Yamaha MotoGP
Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
Photo by: Gauloises Fortuna Racing
It took Yamaha just under a year to close all the loose ends that would lead to the #46 racing for the Iwata-based builder in 2004 . The significance of the objective that was being attempted was so brutal that the meetings between the Tavullia runner and what was to be his future team had to take place in an atmosphere of secrecy. Above all, because Honda put the renewal contract on the table on several occasions. One of the strategies that were addressed with Yamaha was how Rossi should go long for the manufacturer of the golden wing.
“During the 2003 World Championship we met with Vale almost every race weekend, to talk about many things. About the formation of the team, which mechanics he wanted to take with him, how to face the tests and others. The problem was where we met, because in the paddock you are in sight of everyone, and in the hotels we are all mixed teams, ”continues Brivio, who especially remembers two moments that, due to their bizarreness, will remain forever in his memory .
“One of the strangest episodes was the one at the Clinica Mobile in Brno . We stayed there after ten o’clock at night, when all the physiotherapists and doctors had already left. We unzipped the tent, went in and sat around a table that was there, and started the meeting. Suddenly, we heard a motorcycle approaching, and both me and Lin hid under the table”, explains the executive.
When it was time to negotiate, Gibo Badioli , at that time Rossi’s agent, over-braked and then backed off. “On an economic level, Badioli’s demands were disproportionate at first. Then we managed to reach an agreement. And I think that later, with what Yamaha came to sell, he more than recovered that investment”, abounds Brivio, who also keeps in his retina that midnight in which Rossi met for the first time what would be his new motorcycle in a few months.
“After shaking hands, the moment came when Vale wanted to see the bike. It was at the Donington Park circuit. We waited until dawn, because we wanted no one left in the paddock. And he entered hooded so that he would not be recognized”, recalls the current leader of Alpine, who indirectly gave the pilots back the focus that they still maintain today.
