Veteran superstar Rossi remains a hugely influential figure at the Japanese heavyweights.
But, according to BT Sport pundit Laverty, Vinales is ready to seriously stamp his authority this season.
Vinales, 24, agreed to ditch Suzuki for Yamaha in 2016.
The Spaniard was initially a revelation on the M1 bike and won the first two races of the 2017 campaign.
However, he only triumphed in one other race that season and also floundered last term.
Vinales has previously complained that Rossi’s verdict on the bike’s development is favoured by Yamaha boffins.
Laverty says the team’s engineers are right to take Rossi’s lead though.
“It’s always going to be tough [with the bike development] because it’s hard for Vinales to step out of Rossi’s shadow,” Laverty exclusively told Express Sport.
“I believe they had the revised electronics package at the end of last season that Vinales was happy with.
“But Rossi is the guy I’d listen to more, given his experience and that he was expecting another level of improvement to be unlocked.
“It should have a new engine character and when they have to lock them in and seal them for the season lets hope they get it right this season.
“If they can nail that then it’ll provide the foundation for a really consistent motorbike.
“That’s what Ducati and Honda have managed to do over the last few seasons.”
The M1 bike was ravaged by electronics issues in the 2018 season.
Nevertheless, Rossi still managed to upset the odds and finish third in the overall standings.
Vinales finished behind his team-mate in fourth.
Laverty says Vinales has a strategy to finally end Rossi’s dominance at Yamaha and become a serious championship contender.
“When he joined the team and won the first few races it looked as if it was a foregone conclusion that he’d take over as the No.1 rider at Yamaha,” Laverty added.
“But then we arrived at Le Mans and the two guys fought it out, then everyone realised there was still life left in Rossi.
“Since then it’s seemed like Rossi has been the more consistent guy.
“This year Vinales has employed Julian Simon - the ex-racer who will be in his corner - and he’s also looking for a sports psychologist to keep everything on track because he’s been a bit temperamental in the past.
“He’s quite fiery. When things aren’t going quite right in the garage he can fly off the handle.
“He’s got to change his approach and mature a little bit.
“He’s got that speed and ability, it looks like he’s making some change to try and unlock that consistency.”
* BT Sport is the home of MotoGP for more information visit www.bt.com/sport
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