team/yamaha-factory-racing/542/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>yamaha claims to have exceeded his own expectations during the post-season test of MotoGP held last Tuesday in Barcelonain which Fabio Quartararo He had the second best time of the day.
The Japanese manufacturer took the Barcelona-Catalonia Circuit a revised version of the M1, having managed to improve the chassis, aerodynamics and engine. The French driver finished just 4 tenths behind Alex Marquez with the GP24, after having managed to improve the time with which he qualified in tenth place on the starting grid of the Barcelona Solidarity GP the previous weekend.
Your teammate, Alex Rinsalso enjoyed a good day to finish eighth, while those at Iwata collected additional data on motorcycles from Miguel Oliveira And Jack Millersince it was the first day of Pramac Racing as satellite equipment -although, in practice, they function as the official team-. The team leader, Massimo Meregalli praised Yamaha's performance during the testespecially since the riders' comments were supported by the improvement in the bike's speed on the track.
“The three points we evaluated were mainly the chassis, aerodynamics and a slightly updated engine. All three gave us a positive response.“Massimo Meregalli said on the official MotoGP website. “But, before really judging anything, we prefer to wait for the next test, in Sepang [en febrero]because we can't really judge the individual elements of a circuit, It's better to at least check“.
“All the steps we have taken in this direction have given us good feelings, but also results. This is very important, because many times in the past we have always listened to the feelings of drivers, but Now we want to match feelings with results. I can say that the test ended better than expected.. For me, it's a good way to end such a long and difficult season,” he continued.
Quartararo was also optimistic after testing the updated M1, as he was able to attest to the steps the three-tuned brand had taken with a bike that couldn't get past sixth place in the long race throughout the year .
“I think it was a good day. We tried quite a few things, and without really doing a “time trial”, we achieved a better time than in the ranking.“, he told the media, including Motorsport.comin Barcelona. “MWe made the best times with the new chassis and the new engine, so that was positive, and without really starting with 3 kilos of fuel, I think we did it with 8-9 kg. Of course I was at the limit, but we could have improved by a few hundredths or tenths and gone a little faster. »
Although the Barcelona test was already encouraging for Yamaha, the “Devil” revealed that Bigger improvements will come when the paddock meets again in Malaysia for the start of pre-season training, from February 5 to 7, 2025.
“The new engine already gives us a little more speed, with the same agility, and the steering with the new chassis is also good“, he commented. “We also tried a new fairing to, perhaps, have a little more top speed, but it wasn't better, it was the same. We tried some very interesting things. I think we are going in the right direction and the most important things that were supposed to happen will happen in Malaysia, that's what was planned.. The direction is therefore good and I hope it can be useful for the future. »
However, #20 explained that the Japanese haven't been able to overcome some of the M1's weaknesses for a long timealthough the overall testing package was stronger than that of the 2024 season.
“I don't think there's been any real improvement coming out of corners, and that's where I think we need to improve,” he added. “With the new chassis we have improved the entry a little, but what we are missing is a little at the exit. Power and grip are the only things I can ask for. In terms of grip, we are very, very far from it. And as for power, Santa Claus has come before to give us a little more, but I'm going to ask for even more“.
Yamaha's approach during the Barcelona test contrasted with that of Slingwhich had no new parts to roll, which left the official driver Joan Mir in a frustrating 15th position in the rankings.
