Honda unveils a brand-new MotoGP design, announcing Castrol as the main sponsor. This marks the first time since 1994 that the official Honda team will not have Repsol as its sponsor.

The Honda factory team has introduced a brand-new design for the 2025 MotoGP season, marking a shift from its three-decade-long title sponsorship with Repsol, as Castrol steps in as the new sponsor.

Since 1995, all the Honda motorcycles competing in the top racing class have sported designs influenced by Repsol, as the Spanish oil company has been the main sponsor.

Nonetheless, that legendary partnership concluded last year as the Honda team showcased their factory HRC colors for the 2025 season during their launch event in Indonesia.

Honda announced that Castrol is set to become its main partner starting in 2025.

In the 2024 season, Honda faced a challenging year, ending up at the bottom of the constructors' rankings with only 75 points to their name.

Discover: How Honda Identified Its Genuine MotoGP Leader for 2024

Factory racers Joan Mir and Luca Marini ended up at the bottom of the riders' rankings. Meanwhile, the highest grand prix placement for the brand was an eighth-place finish by LCR’s Johann Zarco during a rainy Thai GP.

Zarco ranked as the highest-placed Honda rider, occupying the 17th position in the standings.

In the previous year, Honda experienced its third instance in five years where it failed to secure a victory in any race.

Honda has implemented major staffing adjustments for the 2025 season in an effort to regain its competitive standing.

In a significant move, Romano Albesiano has been brought on board from Aprilia to assume the role of technical director, succeeding Ken Kawauchi, who has transitioned to the test team.

Albesiano played a crucial role in transforming Aprilia from the least competitive factory bike on the MotoGP grid upon their 2015 return, into a team that achieved multiple grand prix victories over his ten seasons in the premier class with the Italian brand.

Joining the test team from Aprilia is Aleix Espargaro, a three-time grand prix winner who stepped away from regular racing duties at the conclusion of last season.

Honda was the last manufacturer team to reveal its livery for the 2025 season, after Yamaha and KTM had done so in the last 48 hours.

Only one team, the LCR squad, hasn't unveiled its livery for the upcoming season. The unveiling is scheduled for February 8, just one day before the official MotoGP season launch event.

Honda has already hit the track this week at the Sepang shakedown. The brand is allowed to conduct tests throughout the year with its race riders because of certain concessions.

The official testing period kicks off from February 5 to 7 in Malaysia. Following this, the championship heads to Thailand on February 12 and 13 for the last two days of pre-season activities. The 2025 season is set to commence from February 28 to March 2 in Buriram.

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Results from the First Day of the 2025 Sepang MotoGP Shakedown Test on Friday

Summary of Friday's initial lap times from the 2025 Sepang MotoGP Shakedown test's first day.

These are the concluding lap times from the MotoGP Sepang Shakedown test on Friday in 2025.

Yamaha hasn't officially assigned specific riders to its test motorcycles for the purpose of timing sessions, but it appears Andrea Dovizioso has conducted the entirety of the M1's testing to date. Additionally, Augusto Fernandez is expected to participate in the upcoming Shakedown.

Yamaha's racing team members are anticipated to skip today's race because of the team's unveiling event scheduled for tonight in Kuala Lumpur.

Takaaki Nakagami, representing Honda, was the sole rider from his team to hit the track, making his appearance post-lunch. He quickly ascended to second position and momentarily topped the leaderboard.

Apart from Yamaha, the times mentioned represent the top performance of each rider (not necessarily their fastest time on every motorcycle they've ridden).

Showers forced all competitors to return to the garages at 2pm, but the weather improved shortly after. Light rain made a comeback later on but dissipated once more.

A temporary halt in the race was caused by Dani Pedrosa after a mechanical issue occurred at turn 6, shortly before 5pm, leading to the waving

Recorded fastest lap at Sepang MotoGP

Top time: Francesco Bagnaia 1 minute 56.337 seconds (2024)

Quickest lap time: Alex Marquez achieved a time of 1 minute and 58.979 seconds in 2023.

It

The initial test for the 2025 Sepang MotoGP, which included newcomers Ai Ogura of Trackhouse, Fermin Aldeguer from Gresini, and Somkiat Chantra representing LCR, along with factory test riders and competing racers from Yamaha and Honda, kicked off at 10am on a Friday in Malaysia.

Restrictions on individual tire testing and team unveilings may decrease the number of participants at the 2025 Yamaha and Honda racing events during the Shakedown sessions.

This weekend, Andrea Dovizioso and Augusto Fernandez will undertake development work for Yamaha, leading to rumors of a potential 'public' unveiling of the V4. Meanwhile, new test riders Aleix Espargaro and Augusto Fernandez have been scheduled for testing duties with HRC.

Test runs are scheduled from 10 in the morning until 6 in the evening on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

The Sepang Official test is scheduled to take place from February 5th to 7th

I

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The finest photos from the opening day of the 2025 MotoGP Sepang Shakedown test

A selection of the greatest shots from Friday's action in Sepang

Here are the top photos of motorcycles racing on the Sepang circuit during the 2025 MotoGP Shakedown trial.

Ducati has successfully maintained secrecy around their GP25, anticipated to be the top-performing motorcycle in the competition. Riders Marc Marquez, Pecco Bagnaia, and Fabio di Giannantonio are set to race on this bike.

Michele Pirro took to the track for testing.

Displayed above is a photo of Gresini's previous-year Ducati model.

Gresini's newcomer, Fermin Aldeguer, achieved the fifth highest speed on Friday.

Savadori takes to the track aboard a Jorge Martin Aprilia. #SepangShakedown pic.twitter.com/kKu5gitZFw— Peter McLaren (@McLarenMotoGP) January 31, 2025

The finest photograph of the Aprilia taken on Friday is featured prominently at the beginning of this page.

On Friday, Ai Ogura from Trackhouse made an impression by securing the second-fastest time. He was among three newcomers qualified to participate.

Lorenzo Savadori, Aprilia's reliable test pilot, secured the 10th position.

Dani Pedrosa leads the way for KTM, topping the speed charts by midday during the first day of the 2025 Sepang Shakedown. (Image source: pic.twitter.com/NEfSmF7Imd) – Tweet from Peter McLaren (@McLarenMotoGP), January 31, 2025

On Friday, KTM's seasoned testing pair, Pol Espargaro and Dani Pedrosa, took to the circuit.

Espargaro led the rankings, while Pedrosa secured the fourth position.

Yamaha has the advantage of leveraging their two main team riders, two Pramac team members, and their testing squad on Friday, in accordance with the concession regulations.

On Friday, only the testing pair, Andrea Dovizioso and Augusto Fernandez, took to the track.

Honda

In his debut as Honda's test rider, Takaaki Nakagami registered the third-highest speed on the leaderboard.

He splits test responsibilities with Aleix Espargaro.

Yet, despite the curiosity surrounding the innovations that new technical director Romano Albesiano might introduce to the faltering program, no insights were shared from the activities on Friday.

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MV Agusta and KTM have parted ways, with the Sardarov family taking back complete ownership of the firm.

A little more than two years following Pierer Mobility Group's initial investment in MV Agusta via KTM AG, the Italian company has regained full independence.

On January 31, MV Agusta declared that the Italian firm, which has been 50.1 percent owned by KTM AG since last spring, will now return to being entirely managed by its CEO, Timur Sardarov.

According to a statement from the Italian company, KTM's recent financial difficulties prompted their decision to take action.

According to the announcement, while MV Agusta had a prosperous year, the recent financial developments at PIerer Mobility AG might have greatly affected the activities of the Schiranna brand.

The statement further mentions that MV Agusta will not participate in KTM AG's current restructuring efforts linked to its insolvency proceedings. This decision will enable MV Agusta to maintain its trajectory of positive growth.

Following their separation from KTM and PMG, MV has released a statement confirming that their worldwide network of dealers will maintain operations without any changes.

Timur Sardarov expressed that everyone at MV Agusta feels a deep sense of pride at this time. By taking back complete control of the company, they are now more empowered and dedicated to achieving outstanding results.

"In the last two years, the organization has greatly improved its procedures, systems, and team."

The foundational changes we've implemented have led to remarkable outcomes in 2024 and will keep propelling our success in the future.

"I am completely confident in our leadership group. Their visionary outlook, along with the commitment and expertise of our revitalized network of dealers, will elevate MV Agusta to greater success."

"My family and I are dedicated to being a driving force for the Varese team, the local area, and all our collaborators."

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Yamaha and Pramac Unveil Fresh Color Schemes for the 2025 MotoGP Season in Malaysia

Yamaha and Pramac Showcase New Designs

The Pramac team has revealed its updated appearance for its inaugural MotoGP season with Yamaha in 2025, showcasing significant Alpine branding, although the primary team hues stay mostly the same.

Yamaha is currently undergoing a period of restructuring after experiencing a significant drop from competing for the championship with Fabio Quartararo as the reigning champion in 2022 to failing to achieve a single podium finish last year.

The brand from Japan concluded the season in fourth place in the constructors' rankings, with Quartararo being the highest-placed rider for the team, finishing 13th.

Nonetheless, towards the end of the campaign, there were encouraging indicators of advancement, and with Max Bartolini at the helm as technical director, Yamaha is gearing up for a more substantial effort in 2025. This includes the anticipated launch of its inaugural V4 at some stage during this season.

Before resigning from his position as team leader, Lin Jarvis successfully negotiated a fresh two-year agreement with Quartararo, then with Alex Rins, and also managed to acquire a satellite team for Yamaha, marking the first time since 2022 that this has occurred.

Pramac, victorious in the 2024 independent teams' championship and instrumental in Jorge Martin securing the riders’ championship, chose to switch from Ducati to Yamaha's factory equipment.

The team is set to introduce a completely fresh roster featuring Jack Miller, previously with the team riding a Ducati from 2018 to 2020, alongside Miguel Oliveira, making a move from Trackhouse Aprilia.

The Pramac team recently announced the addition of French car maker Alpine as a primary sponsor, prominently displayed on its updated team colors.

At the event, the unveiling of the Pramac Yamaha Moto2 motorcycles ridden by Tony Arbolino and Izan Guevara took place. Ex-MotoGP rider Alex de Angelis has been appointed as the team manager.

Yamaha announced plans to commemorate its 70th anniversary with unique celebrations scheduled for July this year.

The brand was present on the Sepang circuit on Friday for the preliminary runs, with its competing racers slated to join over the weekend in preparation for the initial official testing from February 5-7 in Malaysia.

As of now, only two teams have not revealed their new liveries for the upcoming season. The factory Honda team will unveil theirs on Saturday, February 1st, in Indonesia.

LCR Honda is set to make their announcement on February 8, just before the MotoGP season kicks off with an event in Bangkok.

The Honda team is gearing up to present its inaugural motorcycle not featuring the Repsol colors in more than three decades, following the conclusion of its partnership with the Spanish petroleum company as the main sponsor.

The 2025 season kicks off from February 28 to March 2 with the Thai Grand Prix.

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Yamaha's MotoGP competitors were questioned on their V4 engine strategy

“Our test riders are handling that…”

Yamaha's racing team is scheduled to start their trial runs at the Sepang shakedown for the MotoGP this Saturday, with their attention not centered on the much-anticipated V4 engine.

In a departure from its longstanding commitment to inline-four engines, Yamaha revealed plans last year to venture into the development of a V4, marking its first such endeavor in recent times.

This shift in its customary approach to development stems from the innovative perspective that technical director Max Bartolini has introduced to the Japanese company.

There is no specific schedule for the V4's introduction in 2025, as its racers kept details under wraps at Yamaha's event on Friday.

"My aim is to familiarize myself with this motorcycle, to understand the M1, and to focus on the ongoing project," Pramac's recent recruit Miguel Oliveira shared with Crash.net.

"That's where I'm directing all my attention. Considering something that isn't a reality yet doesn't seem wise to me. My goal is to concentrate completely on this bike."

When questioned about the same topic, 2021 world champion Fabio Quartararo emphasized that test riders, rather than himself, will concentrate on this issue. He also cautioned that Honda, with its V4 engine, faces challenges comparable to those of Yamaha.

"Quartararo expressed that there's a high level of anticipation placed on the V4 by many, but he personally doesn't share that sentiment. He pointed out that Honda also uses a V4 engine, yet they're facing similar challenges to us," Quartararo mentioned.

"Hence, I believe this isn't actually our primary concern."

"Thus, we need to examine and identify the issues before deciding whether we can proceed further."

"Currently, our primary attention is directed towards 2025, concentrating on the four inline projects."

"For evaluating the V4, we employ test riders. Ultimately, we'll have three individuals in this role, and I'm confident they'll get the opportunity to test out the V4."

"I'm unsure of the timing because it never occurred to me to inquire."

Yamaha announced at its unveiling event, where it showcased the new designs for its main team and Pramac, that its racers will hit the Sepang circuit starting Saturday to kick off their off-season training.

As a producer of race vehicles, Yamaha has the liberty to experiment extensively with its racing team members.

Additionally, it won't be affected by MotoGP's implementation of the engine freeze starting this year, which means it has the possibility of racing its V4 when it becomes ready, potentially in 2025.

Unique insights shared by Peter McLaren, the MotoGP Editor at Crash

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New update on Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia's Ducati windscreen revealed

Ducati unveils new feature for GP25

The newest information on the Ducati GP25 has just been revealed.

Ducati has announced a collaboration with a new sponsor for the forthcoming MotoGP season, which will supply the windscreens for the motorcycles ridden by Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia.

WRS, a company based in Italy known for being a premier producer of motorcycle windscreens, has recently become a technical collaborator with Ducati.

The firm pledges to cater to the unique requirements of both cyclists and their bicycles, guaranteeing superior efficiency in aerodynamics, visibility, and durability.

Mauro Grassilli, the Sporting Director at Ducati Corse, expressed: "WRS plays a significant role in our local area, and we find common ground in aspects like advanced technology, dedication to research, and innovation."

"We are thrilled to embark on this new partnership, united by a shared objective: to remain competitive and to constantly seek improvement."

Nicolas Zavoli, the CEO of WRS, expressed his excitement and privilege in joining the remarkable journey alongside Ducati Corse.

"Collaborating with riders like Bagnaia and Marquez places a significant responsibility on our shoulders, yet it simultaneously serves as an additional incentive for us to constantly strive to extend the boundaries of our technology."

"Each windshield we produce is a testament to our longstanding expertise and commitment, and we are confident that our input will be crucial for the Team's success throughout the season."

Bagnaia and Marquez are expected to showcase the most intense competition in this season's MotoGP lineup.

Bagnaia is accustomed to adjusting to the most recent version of the Desmosedici.

Marquez, previously aligned with Honda, has completed a season riding a Ducati from the previous year and now needs to adjust to the most recent model.

Fabio di Giannantonio from the VR46 squad becomes the third competitor to race on a GP25 motorcycle this season.

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Certainly! However, I'll

Alex Rins highlights Yamaha's remarkable winter work on the 2025 MotoGP motorcycle

The Spanish rider discusses the completely new components introduced for evaluation

Alex Rins has shared comprehensive insights into the innovations Yamaha introduced during the winter, ahead of the inaugural MotoGP test of 2025, expressing his considerable admiration for the advancements made.

Yamaha is gearing up for the 2025 season with a revitalized effort to climb back to the leading positions in MotoGP, following two consecutive seasons without any victories.

Despite the attention gravitating towards the upcoming V4 project, Yamaha continues to devote attention to its existing motorcycle model.

Discover further: Max Bartolini discusses how half a second is considered "catastrophic" in MotoGP

Alex Rins, embarking on his sophomore year with Yamaha, has revealed that the Japanese brand plans to introduce a fresh engine, frame, swingarm, and fairing, among other upgrades, for evaluation during this week's Sepang shakedown and official trial.

"He admitted to Crash.net that claiming we'll be battling for wins right from the start isn't accurate, emphasizing the challenge in making such a statement."

Currently, there's an opportunity to enhance the bicycle. Yamaha dedicated significant effort during the winter season.

"I'm thrilled about getting back on the bike tomorrow for the second day of testing."

They put in a lot of effort. They introduced a new engine, chassis, swingarm, fairing, among other components – everything's new. So, I'm really amazed.

"We plan to conduct consecutive tests, beginning with the baseline motorcycle we used in Montmelo, albeit incorporating the new chassis we experimented with during the test."

"Therefore, we used that as our fundamental motorcycle. We'll now focus on developing a fresh engine, updated electronic systems, and an additional new frame. It's going to be a hectic winter ahead."

In December, Rins had an operation to assess the severe leg injury he sustained in 2023. He claims to feel "absolutely fine," even though he was seen using a crutch at Yamaha's unveiling event.

"I'm undergoing surgery this December to assess how things are," he stated.

"The operation aimed to assess the healing progress of the bone. Upon opening, it was observed that there was only a small amount of bone, indicating that the tibia had not fully recovered."

"Truthfully, after two months, I feel absolutely fantastic, really great."

"Truthfully, it's just like it was prior to the operation because I was already in a decent state before undergoing surgery

"So, currently, I'm using this [crutch] to alleviate some of the pressure on my leg due to the metal implants. You might recall I was moving somewhat awkwardly before – that's because my ankle has been causing me some discomfort."

"I've retained all the metal, which is why I need this [crutch].

"However, cycling isn't an issue for me. I underwent intense preparation during the off-season, focusing on both physical training and mental readiness. Additionally, I spent four to five days practicing on the R1 at both Jerez and Almeria."

Statements given by Crash MotoGP Editor Peter McLaren

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2025 Sepang MotoGP Shakedown Test Outcomes – Day 2 (Saturday)

As of midday on Saturday, these are the recorded lap times from the second day of the 2025 Sepang MotoGP Shakedown test.

Updates on results provided every hour…

Quickest time recorded on the first day:

Pol Espargaro, riding for KTM, recorded a lap time of 1 minute

Records from the official Sepang MotoGP events

Fastest lap: Francesco Bagnaia on a Ducati clocked in at 1 minute and 56.337 seconds (2024).

Quickest lap during the race: Alex Marquez on a Ducati clocking in at 1 minute and 58.979 seconds (2023)

The 2025 Sepang MotoGP Shakedown test is set to begin on Friday in Malaysia. This event will feature rookie participants Ai Ogura from Trackhouse, Fermin Aldeguer representing Gresini, and Somkiat Chantra from LCR. Additionally, factory test riders along with race riders from Yamaha and Honda will also be taking part.

Pol Espargaro led the timesheets for KTM on the first day, while Yamaha's racing team riders Fabio Quartararo, Alex Rins, Jack Miller, and Miguel Oliveira are set to participate on the second day. This follows the team's unveiling event held last night in Kuala Lumpur.

Examinations are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but a wet track following rain the previous night (combined with the necessity to conserve private testing tires) resulted in a sluggish beginning to the second day. By noon, Michele Pirro was the sole rider to have finished a lap.

The Sepang test, which includes all teams and riders, is scheduled to take place from February 5th to 7th.

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—

Transformed

2025 Sepang MotoGP Shakedown Test – Day 2: LIVE COVERAGE

Stay tuned for real-time updates on the second day of the 2025 Sepang MotoGP Shakedown test happening this Saturday.

Anticipation is high for a more eventful day two at the Sepang Shakedown test, as the four Yamaha riders are set to take part following the unveiling of their team last night.

Nevertheless, the wet conditions on the track resulted in no activity as the testing session commenced at 10 a.m.

On Friday, the absence of newcomer Somkiat Chantra was significant. Meanwhile, KTM test rider Pol Espargaro posted the fastest time, ahead of rookie and current Moto2 champion Ai Ogura. Takaaki Nakagami, the new test rider for HRC, secured the third spot.

Newcomers, official test riders from factories, and racers from Honda and Yamaha are permitted to participate in the Shakedown.

However, Joan Mir and Luca Marini, who ride for the factory Honda team, will be absent once more today because they are attending their team's launch event in Jakarta.

The Sepang test, which will include all the racers competing in the 2025 season, is scheduled to occur from February 5th to 7

At 11:12 a.m., Michele Pirro, who serves as a test rider for Ducati, was the first to hit the track today.

Several motorcycles have been heard revving up, yet the pit lane remains quiet as we near the conclusion of the first hour on Saturday. The track conditions are neither wet enough for rain tires nor dry enough for standard tires.

The wet conditions at the beginning of the second day have delayed the appearance of the first bike on the track.

Regrettably, the presence of cloudy skies suggests that the track may take longer to dry.

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Fabio Quartararo is set for a comeback at the forefront of MotoGP racing in 2025. The upcoming season holds significant importance for Yamaha, which aims to break its current streak without victories. At the helm of this effort is a former world champion eager to realize his full potential, according to Lewis Duncan.

Financial incentives are highly appealing to any racing competitor. At the beginning of last year, Yamaha was aware of the risk of losing its star rider, Fabio Quartararo, because it was unable once more to provide him with the motorcycle necessary to secure a second MotoGP world championship following his 2021 victory.

Aprilia showed interest but lacked the necessary financial resources. Meanwhile, Yamaha committed a significant sum of €12 million per year, securing the deal until the end of 2026. The agreement was promptly finalized. This was one of two strategic moves made by Lin Jarvis, the outgoing head of the factory team, to ensure stability for the future; the other was establishing a partnership with Pramac as its official satellite team.

Rejecting a lucrative offer isn't a simple decision, but Quartararo committed himself to the challenging task of restoring Yamaha to its former glory. The decision became more persuasive for him when the Japanese company hired Max Bartolini, who was previously Gigi Dall’Igna’s close associate at Ducati, to take on the role of technical director.

From an engineering perspective, Bartolini has successfully softened the traditionally rigid approach of Yamaha's Japanese operations. In 2024, the M1 regularly received new components during both test sessions and race weekends, taking full advantage of the concessions available to it.

On the technical front, his most significant achievement has been persuading Yamaha to embark on a V4 engine project. However, there hasn't been any announcement regarding when it will be tested on the track. In recent times, Yamaha has consistently utilized inline-four engines, but it now stands alone in this approach.

This aligns with Yamaha's efforts to increase engine power, but Bartolini explained to Peter McLaren of Crash.net last winter that this isn't the ultimate objective: “Regarding the V4, most people focus on the engine. However, I believe the main benefit comes from the bike's design rather than the engine itself."

Regarding sheer power, according to our engine team, there shouldn't be a significant difference. However, the V4 configuration does offer some advantages in organizing the bike's design.

Yamaha's M1 motorcycle has long struggled with insufficient rear grip, a problem it has faced for several years. This issue has played a role in diminishing the bike's once-renowned agility, which was a key factor in Quartararo's immediate success and formidable presence when he first joined Yamaha as a rookie in 2019.

Throughout the 2024 season, minor enhancements were implemented, leading to Quartararo achieving Yamaha's top performance of the year by finishing sixth at the Malaysian Grand Prix. With the start of winter testing, Yamaha aims to continue its progress from this point.

Yamaha faces a significant challenge ahead. Last year, the team finished fourth out of five in the constructors' rankings, accumulating 124 points. This placed them a staggering 598 points behind Ducati and 178 points behind Aprilia, which secured third place. Fabio Quartararo was Yamaha's top performer, ending the season in 13th place with only 113 points, marking the lowest total of his career. Meanwhile, his teammate, Alex Rins, finished in 18th place during his inaugural year on the M1, as he continued to struggle with injuries.

During Yamaha's launch event held on Friday, Rins highlighted the challenge by stating, "It's tough to claim that we'll be contending for victory right from the opening race, as that's not the case."

In recent seasons, Quartararo has often been a symbol of disappointment as Yamaha struggled to provide him with the necessary support. However, over the past year, he has definitely become more relaxed. He has come to understand that his path to victory on the Yamaha requires hard work. During the launch, he mentioned that his sole aim for the upcoming season is to begin it in the same strong manner as he concluded the previous one.

During Yamaha's launch event, he shared with Crash.net his thoughts on the year's conclusion, particularly from mid-year onward, saying, "I believe the development towards the end of the year was positive." He added that while discovering a solution is a step forward, the next challenge is enhancing speed by focusing on crucial elements like grip, power, electronics, and aerodynamics. Improving these factors is essential, he emphasized.

Should that scenario unfold, Yamaha is expected to consistently compete within the top 10 from the start. With Pramac switching to Yamaha and two Ducatis leaving the grid, this task will become slightly more manageable.

During challenging times for Yamaha, Quartararo stood out as a beacon of hope. Despite internal conflicts involving management and Maverick Vinales, he stayed focused and secured the championship in 2021. He continued to fight valiantly into the last race of the 2022 season, even though he faced a significant disadvantage in terms of equipment compared to Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia.

During that year, Quartararo was securing victories and competing for the championship, while his closest Yamaha counterpart, Franco Morbidelli, was in 19th place. Andrea Dovizioso retired after competing in the San Marino GP, following an underwhelming return with RNF Racing.

In 2023, Quartararo stood out as the sole Yamaha rider to make it to the podium and maintained a 70-point lead over the next closest Yamaha competitor in the rankings. Despite Rins not consistently performing at his peak, Quartararo outperformed him in 12 out of 17 grands prix, secured better qualifying positions 14 times compared to Rins' 4, and was the only Yamaha rider to earn points in sprint races.

Many racers claim they consistently put in their full effort, even when facing challenges. Quartararo is among the rare ones whom you can truly believe does so. He is a superstar and is fully aware of his status. However, perhaps the most significant impact Bartolini has had on Yamaha is his role as a sort of head coach for Quartararo. He has alleviated his concerns and, with Quartararo's assistance, instilled confidence that the difficult period will eventually come to an end.

In the past, Quartararo would become frustrated when discussing with the press if a new addition to the bike failed to deliver results. However, his perspective on such matters has now changed significantly.

"We should begin with the 2024 baseline in our tests and then evaluate whether it's an improvement," he stated. "Just because something is new doesn't necessarily make it better. This is a crucial point we must remember."

Throughout the early months of last year, Quartararo was vocal about his desire for Yamaha to secure a satellite team. Meanwhile, Marc Marquez was maneuvering to secure a position with Ducati's main team, rejecting a potential switch to Pramac, which inadvertently benefited Yamaha. Over the years, Pramac has been a leading satellite team, and it played a significant role in Jorge Martin's journey to winning the riders' championship last season, before his transition to Aprilia.

For many years leading up to 2025, the team operated much like a factory Ducati team, albeit with different branding. Now, Yamaha has found the ideal collaborator to accelerate the progress of their motorcycle development. With seasoned riders Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira on board, they are well-equipped to advance this mission.

Yamaha's recent advancements, combined with Quartararo's evident skills, have certainly drawn attention. Both Francesco Bagnaia and Aprilia's CEO, Massimo Rivola, have identified the French rider as a potential leading competitor in 2025.

Over the past two seasons, Quartararo's performance on the Yamaha, despite its declining position on the grid, has been remarkably impressive. Should Yamaha continue on its current path, Quartararo is poised to generate significant buzz once more in the MotoGP arena.

Statements shared by Peter McLaren, the Editor of Crash MotoGP

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Fabio Quartararo is set to make a comeback at the forefront of MotoGP in 2025. This year is crucial for Yamaha, as the team is eager to break its current streak without victories. At the helm of this effort is a world champion determined to realize his full capabilities, reports Lewis Duncan.

Financial incentives are highly appealing to any racer. At the beginning of the previous year, Yamaha was aware of the possibility of losing its star rider, Fabio Quartararo, due to its repeated inability to provide him with the motorcycle necessary to secure a second consecutive MotoGP world championship following his 2021 victory.

Aprilia showed interest but lacked the financial resources. Meanwhile, Yamaha invested heavily, committing €12 million annually until the conclusion of 2026, and an agreement was swiftly reached. This was one of two significant strategic moves made by the departing factory team leader Lin Jarvis; the other involved securing Pramac as their official satellite team partner.

Although refusing a substantial paycheck is challenging, Quartararo committed himself to the hard work of restoring Yamaha to its former glory. This decision was made easier when Yamaha hired Max Bartolini, who previously worked closely with Gigi Dall’Igna at Ducati, as the new technical director.

On the engineering front, Bartolini managed to soften Yamaha's traditionally rigid Japanese work methods. Throughout 2024, the M1 constantly received new components during both test sessions and race weekends, effectively utilizing its concessions.

One of his most significant achievements, particularly from a technical standpoint, is persuading Yamaha to embark on a V4 engine project. However, there is no specified timeline for when this new engine will be tested on the track. Traditionally, Yamaha has relied on inline-four engines in recent years, but it now stands alone in this approach.

In line with Yamaha's efforts to boost engine performance, Bartolini shared with Crash.net's Peter McLaren last winter that the ultimate objective isn't solely about the engine: "When it comes to the V4, people often focus on the engine itself. However, I believe the main benefit actually comes from the bike's overall design rather than just the engine."

From a power standpoint, according to our engine department, the difference should be negligible. However, the V4 design offers some advantages in terms of making the bike's layout easier to handle.

Yamaha has struggled for several years with insufficient rear grip on its M1, which has played a part in diminishing the bike's renowned agility. This issue has affected the performance that made Quartararo a formidable competitor since his debut with Yamaha in 2019 as a rookie.

As the 2024 campaign progressed, minor advancements were seen, with Quartararo achieving the team's top performance of the season by finishing sixth at the Malaysian Grand Prix. With the start of winter testing, Yamaha aims to continue its momentum.

Yamaha faces a significant challenge ahead. Last year, they ranked fourth out of five in the constructors’ standings, accumulating only 124 points. This left them trailing Ducati by 598 points and Aprilia, who placed third, by 178 points. Fabio Quartararo was the standout performer for Yamaha, finishing 13th with just 113 points, marking the lowest total of his career. Meanwhile, his teammate, Alex Rins, finished 18th in his debut season on the M1, as he continued to struggle with injuries.

During Yamaha's launch event on Friday, Rins expressed, "It's really challenging to promise that we'll be competing for a win right from the opening race, because that wouldn't be accurate."

In recent seasons, Quartararo has often been visibly frustrated due to Yamaha's inability to provide him with the necessary support. However, over the past year, he has noticeably calmed down. He has come to understand that to achieve victory again on the Yamaha, he must put in the effort. During the launch, he mentioned that he has no specific expectations for the upcoming year, except that he aims to begin the season as he concluded the last one.

At Yamaha's launch event, he expressed to Crash.net that the development towards the latter part of the year, particularly from the middle to the end, was positive. He mentioned that they have discovered a path forward, but emphasized that it's crucial to not only find a direction but to enhance speed by improving key areas such as grip, power, electronics, and aerodynamics, which are vital components.

If this situation unfolds, Yamaha should be a regular contender for the top 10 right from the start. With Pramac switching to Yamaha and thus reducing the number of Ducatis in the competition, this task could become marginally less challenging.

During Yamaha's challenging times, Quartararo has consistently been a beacon of hope. Despite internal conflicts involving management and Maverick Vinales, he stayed focused and secured the championship in 2021. Even with a noticeable equipment disadvantage compared to Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia, he fought hard and remained competitive until the last race of the 2022 season.

During that year, Quartararo was achieving victories and contending for the championship title, whereas the closest Yamaha competitor was his teammate Franco Morbidelli, who ranked 19th. Meanwhile, Andrea Dovizioso retired after the San Marino Grand Prix, following an underwhelming return with RNF Racing.

In the year 2023, Fabio Quartararo stood out as the sole Yamaha rider to secure a spot on the podium, finishing with a 70-point advantage over the closest Yamaha competitor in the rankings. Despite Alex Rins not consistently performing at his peak, Quartararo outperformed him in grand prix races with a score of 12 to 5, and in qualifying sessions, leading 14 to 4. Additionally, Quartararo was the only Yamaha rider to earn points in the sprint races.

Many racers claim they always put in their full effort, even when facing challenges. Quartararo, however, is one of the rare individuals you can truly believe does so. He recognizes his own superstar status. Yet, perhaps Bartolini's most significant impact on Yamaha has been his role as a kind of head coach for Quartararo. He has worked to calm his anxieties and, with the assistance of the French rider, instill confidence that the dry spell will eventually come to an end.

In the past, Quartararo would express his frustration to the media if a new component added to the bike failed to function properly. Now, however, his perspective has changed entirely.

He mentioned that beginning with the 2024 baseline during testing is crucial, and then determining if there are improvements. He emphasized that new doesn’t always mean better, which is an important consideration to remember.

During the initial months of the previous year, Quartararo was vocal in urging Yamaha to secure a satellite team. Meanwhile, Marc Marquez's strategic maneuver to secure a spot with a factory Ducati team, while declining a move to Pramac, turned out to be advantageous for Yamaha. For several years, Pramac has been the standout satellite team, having elevated Jorge Martin, who is currently with Aprilia, to the championship title last season.

For many years leading up to 2025, a team that operated like a Ducati factory squad, albeit with different branding, has now found an ideal collaborator in Yamaha to accelerate motorcycle development. The team is bolstered by the expertise of seasoned riders Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira, who are well-equipped to contribute to this effort.

Yamaha's efforts in development, along with Quartararo's evident skills, have certainly drawn attention. Francesco Bagnaia mentioned the French rider as a potential leading contender for 2025, a sentiment echoed by Massimo Rivola, the CEO of Aprilia.

Over the past two seasons, Quartararo has managed to deliver impressive performances on the Yamaha, even as its position in the rankings has declined. Should Yamaha continue on its current path, Quartararo is likely to become a prominent figure once more in the MotoGP scene.

Statements shared by Peter McLaren, the editor of Crash MotoGP

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