Valentino Rossi's crew chief Silvano Galbusera believes his rider can win a tenth Grand Prix title and it is up to the team and Yamaha to give him the right bike on which to do it.
Galbusera, who came from WorldSBK to replace Jeremy Burgess as The Doctor's right-hand man, almost steered Rossi to a tenth title in 2015 only for the challenge to end in controversy at Sepang and the subsquent grid penalty at Valencia.
"Valentino could win his tenth title. The question is whether we will be able to give him the right bike to do so," said Galbusera.
"For now, the shortcomings have been greater, for us and him. However, I'm optimistic and I think we can do it.
"The most important thing is not the number of titles, but showing you're competitive and the best among everyone."
Rossi's father Graziano is in agreement, believing it to be more important to be competitiver every season.
"Valentino has lots of talent but he works very hard to develop it, and many can't imagine how much it takes to maintain this level."