The pair were never best of mates when they were together at Yamaha from 2008, but their rivalry was taken to new heights in 2010 when a wall was set up to split the factory garage while there was also a ban on the data sharing.

The duo will once again be team-mates next year as Rossi is returning to the Japanese manufacturer following an unsuccessful two-year spell at Ducati.

Reigning World Champion Spaniard Lorenzo, who has previously said he hopes the Italian's arrival will motivate him more, says he expects them to have a much better working relationship this time around.

"Probably too much was made of the wall, for the importance it had," the 25-year-old said.

"This is a very individual sport, [because] everyone is interested in his own job. It's not like playing soccer or basketball.

"Anyway it doesn't matter - no wall this time."