Rossi qualified for Q2, and then made it onto the first row. Marquez helped him by crashing on his hot lap. Go Marquez!! (There's the exit).
I've thought about this issue of Dani and HRC some more.
Obviously when you have two prima donnas on the team, there is conflict, jealousy, and drama that can lead to splits, like the Rossi Lorenzo controversy, complete with wall across the garage.
Dani had proven two things. First, he does make it to the podium regularly, and often to the top step. So even if he doesn't win championships for himself, he really helps rack up the manufacturer championship points for HRC.
Second, he is never really controversial or in conflict, except in his rookie year when he torpedoed Nicky. PUig was more controversial than Dani himself. I remember one of the few times Nicky was negative (excluding the actual torpedo event) when HRC built their 800 cc machine to suit Dani, making Nicky learn to work around Dani's Dwarf suited specifications. Nicky said "You'd think HRC would build the new bike for the current champion instead of for his team mate."
So I think HRC keeps Dani for his consistency and lack of competitive spirit. He fits in. Early on, PUig was probably a factor too. Dani will retire with the most victories and podiums in premier of any rider who never won the premier class championship.
