Alex Rins discusses Yamaha's strategy to unveil a V4 engine

"Definitely, as racers, we request…"

Ever since Yamaha revealed midway through the previous season their plans to develop a V4 engine for their MotoGP effort, the prototype engine has become one of the most speculated topics within the sport.

The brand from Japan, known for using inline-four-cylinder engines since the inception of the four-stroke period in the premier class in 2002, is moving towards standardization in MotoGP engine configurations. Yamaha stands out as the sole manufacturer that hasn’t yet competed with a 'big bang', or irregular firing, V4 engine.

Nonetheless, it has been approximately five months since Yamaha revealed its plans for the V4, yet there remains no confirmed schedule for its debut on the racing circuit.

"Alex Rins, riding for Yamaha, mentioned they weren't provided with a specific date," he commented after the first day of the Sepang MotoGP official test this week on Wednesday.

"Definitely, as riders, we inquire, yet they opt to separate it, to avoid wasting time on the rider pondering when we will give it a try.

"Undoubtedly, if they conduct an examination, then it's beneficial."

"In my opinion, based on their promises to us, they're aiming to deliver it once it surpasses the quality of the current bike."

"Having a V4 engine isn't compulsory. Ultimately, Honda possesses a V4 engine, and we find ourselves somewhat troubled."

During the closing moments of the second day's activities, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team's manager, Massimo Meregalli, echoed the sentiments shared by Rins on Wednesday. His support came during an interview with MotoGP.com's After the Flag program on Thursday.

"When it's going to be prepared," he responded to inquiries about when Yamaha's V4 engine could potentially debut on the racetrack.

Certainly, it's unfeasible to make any statement.

"Definitely, our goal is to hit the track with the V4 at the earliest opportunity, but we'll make that move once we're fully prepared."

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Valentino Rossi Discusses Financial Aspects of His Contentious Departure from Honda

Valentino Rossi Expresses Regret Over Not Earning More

Valentino Rossi has revealed the reasons behind his departure from Honda.

Rossi, having secured five world championships, made the unexpected move to leave Honda in late 2003, opting instead to sign with the then-underdog team, Yamaha.

Rossi has openly shared his resentment towards Honda, which ultimately resulted in him leaving the team – marking a historic turning point.

"During my 2002 contract renewal with Honda, I had already established my identity as 'Valentino Rossi'," he shared on Andrea Migno's podcast.

"My supervisor insisted, we demanded a significant sum. Honda engaged us in a tough negotiation."

Honda agreed and then [paused, paused, paused]…

"In January, they reached out, stating, 'we're offering you this cash; it's the end of January, what on earth else will you do?'"

"They financially took advantage of us. I deserved a higher income."

Rossi mentioned that the Honda of the past resembled the current Ducati.

Initially, every bicycle was a Honda brand.

Imagine if Pecco Bagnaia were to switch to Yamaha – that would be sheer insanity!

"Honda didn't show much sportsmanship, attributing Valentino Rossi's victories solely to their motorcycles."

"In each discussion, they mentioned, 'the initial five motorcycles are Hondas, hence if Rossi is included? Then that's acceptable…'

"Honda models are resilient and durable. We opted to switch to Yamaha…"

Honda famously refused to allow Rossi to try out his new Yamaha during the 2003 offseason testing period.

This resulted in Rossi being unable to test his updated equipment until the beginning of 2004, placing him at a significant setback as the season approached.

He remarkably secured a victory in the inaugural race in South Africa, a triumph he considers his most significant achievement, prior to clinching his sixth world title that same year.

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EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW: LCR Honda reveals 2025 MotoGP paint scheme

Take a glimpse at LCR Honda's latest design

LCR Honda has unveiled their MotoGP paint scheme for the 2025 season.

The Honda satellite squad will retain Johann Zarco for another season and greet Somkiat Chantra as he embarks on his debut year.

Marvel at Johann Zarco's stunning Honda LCR Castrol paint scheme 😍#MotoGP pic.twitter.com/0glu0UZ8Ce— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) February 8, 2025

Zarco's Castro LCR Honda features a recognizable livery in shades of green, white, and red.

Last season, Zarco became part of the Honda team and consistently outperformed his teammates, standing out as the top performer during a challenging period for the company.

With the addition of Romano Albesiano as their new technical director, the LCR team is optimistic about benefiting from the manufacturer's fresh strategic approach.

A glimpse at Somkiat Chantra's Honda LCR Idemitsu in the MotoGP series, represented with the Thai flag 🇹🇭 and a red circle 🔴, was shared by Crash MotoGP on February 8, 2025. See the image here: pic.twitter.com/AjkTmxA3Zf

Chantra's Idemitsu LCR Honda sports a unique red and white color scheme.

Chantra faces a challenging assignment by taking control of the motorcycle that ranked lowest in the previous year's competition.

He kicks off his journey in the top tier by competing in his local event, the Thailand MotoGP, scheduled for February 28 to March 2.

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2025 Sepang MotoGP Official Test – Day 3 Highlights

Review of the last day of the 2025 Sepang MotoGP Official Test that took place on Friday.

The concluding day of the MotoGP official test at Sepang for 2025 kicked off in Malaysia on Friday morning.

On the initial day of the shakedown, Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo led the pack with the fastest time, but by the second day, VR46 Ducati's Franco Morbidelli had surpassed him to claim the top spot.

Following the first day's events, three competitors are sidelined due to injuries: Defending titleholder Jorge Martin from Aprilia, Fabio di Giannantonio of VR46, and Raul Fernandez representing Trackhouse Aprilia.

Teams have only five days allotted for formal pre-season trials, with three days scheduled at Sepang followed by two at Buriram, leading up to the inaugural race of the 2025 MotoGP season in Thailand on February 28.

Trials at Sepang are scheduled from 10 in the morning until 6 in the evening, succeeded by practice launches…

Several participants are currently embarking on trial starts, while others will return to the track at Buriram for the last pre-season trial set to take place next Wednesday and Thursday.

End-of-Day Report: 2025 Sepang MotoGP Official Test Results, Day 3

In the closing moments, Joan Mir advances to 8th position, while Enea Bastianini betters his lap time yet remains in 18th place.

In a recent update, Maverick Vinales, the fresh addition to the Tech3 KTM team, has advanced from 18th to 16th position, trailing Alex Marquez by 1.372 seconds.

Marc Marquez Dash Trial:

Presently competing: Marco Bezzecchi, Alex Rins, Ai Ogura, Luca Marini, Enea Bastianini, Somkiat Chantra, Michele Pirro, Lorenzo Savadori, Andrea Dovizioso.

Meanwhile, enthusiasts are beginning to head towards the start/finish line, getting ready for the practice starts that are scheduled after the testing concludes at 6pm.

As we near the last 30 minutes of the testing session and the temperature drops with the setting sun, is it possible that we'll witness a competitor attempt a quick lap time improvement by opting for a fresh soft rear tire?

Fabio Quartararo has expressed his pleasure at the progress Yamaha has achieved in overcoming the qualifying disparities they faced throughout the previous season. This comes after he recorded his fastest lap ever at Sepang, merely 0.231 seconds behind the test front-runner, Alex Marquez.

Yet, the mantra remains 'no expectations' (his team leader even sports it on a t-shirt), simply striving to achieve whatever's within reach.

As the Sepang test enters its closing hour, eight competitors continue to navigate the circuit.

Fabio Quartararo doesn't fall into that category; he's scheduled to speak with the press shortly, indicating his tenure here, including two days at the shakedown, has likely concluded after five days.

The Yamaha team's racer maintains his third-place position, trailing behind Alex Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia, after achieving his inaugural 1-minute and 56-second lap at Sepang.

Joan Mir maintained an average lap time of 1 minute and 59.703 seconds over ten laps.

It

Franco Morbidelli, across 13 laps, recorded an average time of 1 minute and 59.687 seconds.

(Average time across the initial 10 laps: 1 minute and 59.469 seconds)

Pedro Acosta's mean time over 10 laps stands at 1 minute and 58.596 seconds.

Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez each completed a simulation of a 10-lap Sprint, with Bagnaia recording an average time of 1 minute and 58.243 seconds, while Marquez slightly outpaced him, averaging 1 minute and 57.930

Currently leading the pack is Alex Marquez with the quickest time, followed by Fabio Quartararo in third place. Ai Ogura finds himself in 14th, with Maverick Vinales not far behind in 18th position. Michele Pirro is currently 20th, and Lorenzo Savadori rounds out the group in 21st place.

4pm Outcomes: Sepang MotoGP Official Test Results for 2025, Third Day

By 3:30pm, the light rain had ceased. Riders like Miguel Oliveira and Jack Miller from the Pramac team have wrapped up their testing, while some are still on the track pressing on.

Crews are currently preparing and packing boxes for their upcoming relocation to Thailand next week.

It's just past half-past two in the afternoon, and the rain lights have been activated at Sepang, prompting everyone to return to the pits for the time being. Similar to the past few days, the precipitation seems to be more of a light sprinkle rather than a significant downpour, at least for the moment.

Joan Mir has entered the pit lane, bringing a quiet moment back to the racetr

Results at 2pm: Official MotoGP Sepang Test 2025, Third Day

In the meantime, Mir persists.

Marini emerged safe and returned his Honda to the pit area.

Luca Marini experienced a fall at turn 9 while on an extended circuit with his teammate Joan Mir.

Marco Bezzecchi, the first to address the trackside press today, mentioned that his 8th place time was actually his initial attempt at a time attack on the Aprilia.

He completed the lap 0.7 seconds faster than the top-performing Aprilia during the qualifying session last November, and also managed to beat his own qualifying time from 2024 on a VR46 Ducati by the same gap.

Bezzecchi humorously remarked that he hasn't forgotten how to ride! He plans to attempt a Sprint trial later, though a complete race run-through isn't feasible due to ongoing tests he needs to conduct.

Team members from HRC Castrol, Joan Mir and Luca Marini, are currently on the circuit together, likely evaluating the performance of the RC213V in turbulent airflow.

Just past half-past one and the circuit is quiet except for Franco Morbidelli, with the majority of teams and riders pausing for an informal lunch break.

The major discussion at the moment revolves around the likelihood of rainfall this afternoon. According to some weather predictions, we might see showers, possibly starting by 2pm. However, there are differing opinions suggesting otherwise.

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VR46 confirms that an injury Fabio di Giannantonio sustained resulted from a mishap during celebrations

Fabio di Giannantonio's attempt at showing off backfired

Fabio di Giannantonio's expensive injury was the result of a celebration gone wrong, leading to his crash.

The VR46 Ducati competitor experienced a severe crash during the first day of the MotoGP Sepang preseason trials.

He sustained a collarbone fracture and was declared unfit for the last two days of testing in Sepang, with plans for surgery to fix the injury.

No television coverage exists of his accident that occurred on Wednesday.

It has been officially verified that the speculation about his accident being a result of a failed attempt at a wheelie is indeed true.

"Upon reaching Sepang, he was filled with immense eagerness, having not been on a MotoGP bike since October," VR46's Uccio Salucci shared with Sky Italy.

As the session concluded, he performed a wheelie, however, the front tire was slightly off by 0.3 degrees, ultimately sealing the deal for him.

"Fortune was not on his side, there's really nothing you can tell someone in such a situation…"

Di Giannantonio was sidelined for the concluding segment of the previous season because of an injury.

This season, he has the advantage of riding a factory-spec Ducati, making him one of the exclusive riders alongside Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia to benefit from such equipment.

He remarkably recorded the seventh quickest lap on the first day in Sepang.

However, his excitement about making a comeback to MotoGP and recording a commendable time was cut short when his attempt at showing off backfired disastrously.

Di Giannantonio's broken collarbone has left his recovery timeline uncertain.

However, the season's onset puts the third Ducati GP25 competitor in a significantly challenging position, following an incident that occurred under remarkably odd conditions.

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Michelin reveals to Jorge Martin and Aprilia the reason behind the crash

Michelin provides new insights into Jorge Martin's accident

Michelin disclosed a temperature variation in Jorge Martin's back tire when he experienced a crash during the MotoGP Sepang trial on Wednesday.

The accident, which was Martin's second of the day, resulted in the current World Champion sustaining broken bones in his left hand and foot, sidelining him for the rest of the testing period.

At the moment of the accident, the Spanish rider was equipped with medium-compound tires, identical to those he was using during his initial crash of the day.

During the incident, Massimo Rivola, the CEO of Aprilia Racing, noted that the tyre's temperature was standard when the crash occurred. However, Piero Taramasso, the two-wheel motorsport manager at Michelin, clarified on Friday that although the tyre's surface temperature appeared normal, there was a noticeable difference in the internal temperature of the tyre compared to that of Martin's Aprilia teammate, Marco Bezzecchi, at the moment of the accident.

"Taramasso expressed gratitude towards Aprilia for providing them with all the necessary data."

"Within the past hour, we've managed to review all the information. Given the extensive amount of data, such processes naturally require some time."

Initially, Massimo Rivola indicated that the temperature of the tyres was satisfactory. However, he was referring to the surface temperature of the tyres, which can change significantly based on factors like the bike's sliding and spinning.

"The backside temperature, or the [value] that helps us determine whether the tyre is functioning properly, refers to the temperature of the inner layer. This information, for example, is derived from the sensor installed by McLaren."

Taramasso provided further information, clarifying that the teams typically measure what he calls the "cavity temperature" to assess a tyre's temperature in the pits, referring to the temperature of the air within the tyre.

He emphasized that the temperature within the cavity differs from that of the tyre's inner layer, which pertains to the internal rubber temperature. Furthermore, he mentioned that it is typical to observe a variance in temperature readings from a single tyre.

"Taramasso elaborated, explaining that upon examining the data, it became evident that just before the accident, when Jorge Martin exited the pit for his final attempt, his tyre temperature was 15 degrees lower."

"Thus, a change of 15 degrees is significant."

Moreover, when he had the accident, we analyzed his tire temperature against that of Marco Bezzecchi's rear tire. Given that both were using the same model of bike, identical medium compound rear tires, and at the same instance, we noticed his tire was 15 degrees cooler.

Taramasso clarified that the typical temperature range for the inner layer of a rear tire is from 90 to 100 degrees. Thus, the decrease of 15 degrees in Martin's tire temperature at the moment of his accident corresponds to a reduction of approximately 15 to 16.6 percent.

Taramasso added, “Certainly, a significant factor is that, alongside the track conditions which, it's important to note, were quite treacherous with slipperiness, cold and windy weather, and temperatures only reaching 30 degrees compared to the usual 50 degrees, plus the overnight rain – all these unfavorable conditions combined with the tyre not being prepared were the reasons behind the crash.”

Additionally, Taramasso explained that Martin's choice to use the medium tyre during that stage of the testing, despite it being largely overlooked throughout the week's sessions, was strategically aimed at conserving soft-compound tyres for future use.

"Currently, every team begins with the medium compound," mentioned Taramasso.

"During a race weekend, on Fridays, all teams initially opt for the medium compound tires, regardless of whether they're the ideal choice for the conditions, aiming to conserve their soft tires for later."

"In this instance, the approach likely mirrored previous tactics: initiating with the medium tires given their awareness of the superior performance of the soft ones, they opted to begin with the medium selection to effectively clear the track."

"However, everyone was experiencing the same situation. Likewise, the tool we frequently utilized throughout the exam, without encountering any issues – this was also the case during the Shakedown period."

In conclusion, Taramasso responded to remarks made by Aprilia on Wednesday, suggesting that a defective tyre was responsible for the accident.

"An inexplicable accident occurred, with no error from the motorcycle or the rider," Massimo Rivola stated on Wednesday.

"Taramasso mentioned on Friday that he had communicated with them and shared all the reports."

"Thus, they comprehend the information we present, and it's not merely my perspective, it's factual – these are statistics, and they trust in statistics."

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2025 Sepang MotoGP Official Test Outcomes – Day 3 (Friday)

Recorded lap times up until 6pm, marking the conclusion of the third and last day of the 2025 Sepang MotoGP official testing on Friday.

Here are the concluding lap times from Friday, marking the last day of the official 2025 Sepang MotoGP trials.

The final morning at Sepang was marked by an intense first hour of time trials, culminating with Ducati Lenovo's record pole sitter, Francesco Bagnaia, leading by 0.224 seconds ahead of Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo.

However, Alex Marquez from Gresini took the lead with the GP24, surpassing the GP25 by a mere 0.007 seconds, a position he held onto until the testing concluded at 6pm.

In the afternoon, approximately 50% of the participants engaged in practice runs for the Sprint race, during which Alex Marquez once more achieved the quickest time aboard the Gresini GP24. Below are the top average times recorded during the Sprint practice sessions (It's worth noting that Fabio Quartararo's most extensive session today was limited to just six laps):

As a guide:

I'm sorry

X Rider has moved up X spots since the last hour.

Rider remains in the same spot as the last hour.

X Rider has dropped X places since the last hour.

Quickest Time on the Second Day:

Franco Morbidelli on a Ducati clocked 1 minute and 57.210 seconds.

Quickest opening day record:

Fabio Quartararo on a Yamaha clocked at 1 minute and 57.

Quickest Trial Run Duration:

Fabio Quartararo, riding for Yamaha, clocked a time of 1 minute and 57.794 seconds on

Verified records from the Sepang MotoGP:

Fastest Circuit Time: Francesco Bagnaia on a Ducati clocks in at 1 minute and 56.337 seconds (2024)

Quickest lap time in the race: Alex Marquez on a Ducati clocked at 1 minute 58.979 seconds (2023)

Following the Sepang trials, just a single official practice session in Buriram, scheduled for February 12-13, stands between competitors and the kickoff of the Thai season beginning February 28.

The technical details for Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia motorcycles will remain unchanged from the Thai Grand Prix through to the close of 2026, in an effort to decrease expenses related to development before the introduction of the 850cc generation in 2027.

Honda and Yamaha currently have the liberty to proceed with engine improvements, thanks to their D-level concession status.

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2025 Sepang MotoGP Official Test: Alex Marquez Leads on Last Day

Gresini Team's Rider Tops in Friday's Speed Trials

Gresini Ducati's Alex Marquez emerged as the leader on the last day of the Sepang MotoGP pre-season trials, slightly outperforming his team peer Francesco Bagnaia.

The beginning segment of the final day was reserved for time trial attempts, witnessing an intense qualifying simulation phase where the lead position switched multiple times.

On Friday, Gresini's Alex Marquez topped the charts by clocking a time of 1 minute and 56.493 seconds on his GP24, securing the fastest time by the conclusion of the second hour.

Marquez's performance remained unbeaten up to the finish line, as he completed 50 laps on his GP24, concluding a successful test session for the Spanish rider.

Two-time world champion Bagnaia was at the forefront during the first hour with a lap time of 1 minute and 56.5 seconds. This remained his fastest lap, yet it placed him just 0.007 seconds away from the leading position.

Fabio Quartararo secured a third-place finish for Yamaha, clocking in an impressive time of 1 minute and 56.724 seconds. This time set a new record for the Japanese manufacturer at the Sepang circuit, surpassing their previous best by a substantial margin of eight-tenths of a second.

On Thursday, Franco Morbidelli, leading the pack, secured the fourth position riding for VR46 Ducati, whereas Marc Marquez, representing the official Ducati team, grabbed attention with his swift pace during a sprint simulation on Friday.

On Friday, he managed to finish 70 laps as Ducati aims to decide on its engine choice for the 2025 season.

Pedro Acosta led the KTM pack, finishing sixth and 0.682 seconds behind the leader, while the highest-placed Honda, ridden by LCR's Johann Zarco, secured seventh place.

Joan Mir secured the eighth position riding his official Honda, following a last-minute boost that brought his time down to 1 minute and 57.279 seconds. Meanwhile, Alex Rins ensured that two Yamahas were among the top 10, clocking in at 1 minute and 57.351 seconds to take the 10th spot.

Marco Bezzecchi led the Aprilia riders by finishing ninth with a time of 1m57.328s, clocking in 61 laps on his RS-GP to optimize data collection for the manufacturer, especially since Jorge Martin and Trackhouse's Raul Fernandez were not present.

Fermin Aldeguer led the newcomers, securing the 11th spot for Gresini, while Jack Miller finished in 12th place for Pramac Yamaha, wrapping up his last day ahead of schedule after completing an extensive test schedule.

On Friday, Andrea Dovizioso was seen riding for Yamaha, completing a total of 58 laps. He recorded his fastest lap time at 1 minute and 59.929 seconds, placing him in 22nd position, just behind Aprilia's test rider Lorenzo Savadori.

The final phase of testing is scheduled to take place over the course of two days next week, on February 12th and 13th, in Thailand. This will precede the season's kickoff at the end of the month in Bur

Complete Results from the Third Day of MotoGP Testing in Sepang

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Valentino Rossi discusses financial aspects of his contentious departure from Honda, expressing regret: "I deserved a higher earnings."

Valentino Rossi has explained the circumstances that resulted in his departure from Honda.

At the conclusion of 2003, despite having secured five world championship titles, Rossi made the unexpected decision to leave Honda and signed on with the less favored Yamaha team.

The outcome is well-known, yet Rossi has expressed his resentment towards Honda, which ultimately resulted in his leaving the team.

In an interview on Andrea Migno’s podcast, he mentioned that by the time he extended his contract with Honda in 2002, he had already established himself as 'Valentino Rossi.'

"My supervisor was assertive, and we demanded a significant amount of money. Honda engaged in tough negotiations with us."

Honda responded with an "okay," and then proceeded to wait for a considerable amount of time…

In January, they contacted me and offered the money, saying, "It's the end of January, what else could you possibly do?"

"They took financial advantage of us. I deserved to make more money."

Rossi compared Honda of the past to the current Ducati, saying, "Back then, Honda was similar to how Ducati is today."

Initially, all the bikes were manufactured by Honda.

Imagine if Pecco Bagnaia chose to switch to Yamaha; that would be utterly insane!

"Honda was not particularly kind. They claimed that Valentino Rossi's victories were solely due to the Honda bike."

"In each interview, they mentioned that the top five motorcycles are all Hondas, implying that if Rossi is among them, it's acceptable."

"Honda is resilient and robust. We made the decision to switch to Yamaha…"

Honda famously prevented Rossi from trying out his new Yamaha during the test sessions that followed the end of the 2003 season.

This situation prevented Rossi from testing his new setup until the beginning of 2004, putting him at a significant disadvantage as the season approached.

He achieved a remarkable victory in the opening race in South Africa, which he still considers his most memorable achievement, before going on to secure his sixth world championship title that year.

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Fabio Quartararo details Yamaha's advancements following his fastest lap at Sepang

"Between 2019 and 2024, we made a 0.6-second gain, and from 2024 to 2025, we improved by another 0.8 seconds…"

Fabio Quartararo concluded this week's MotoGP trials at Sepang in third place, marking his fastest lap ever at the Sepang International Circuit.

Before this occasion, the rider from France had not surpassed the 1:57 mark at the track in Malaysia. However, on the last day of the week's testing session, he managed to achieve times in the 1:56 range, making him the sole competitor not on a Ducati to accomplish this feat.

"Extremely pleased," expressed Quartararo as Friday's sessions in Sepang concluded.

"During last year's qualifying round, my quickest circuit time was clocked at 1:57.5, indicating that the difference is actually greater than 0.8 seconds."

"I mentioned that between 2019 and 2024, we saw an enhancement of 0.6 seconds, and then from 2024 to 2025, an improvement of 0.8 seconds. Certainly, this is something to be pleased about

"Let's remain composed, it's merely an examination, but in my opinion, it's rather satisfactory."

"During last year's test, Francesco Bagnaia, also known as Pecco, clocked a lap time around 1:56.6 or 1:56.5. This year, the times were quite similar, so I believe there's good reason for us to feel satisfied."

Quartararo's excitement over his single-lap pace was heightened given that in 2024, Yamaha found qualifying to be the toughest aspect of the race weekend.

Quartararo clarified, "The biggest issue last year wasn't the entire race itself. The main challenge was actually a single lap where we consistently began from way behind, making it extremely hard to pass others."

"Currently, before launching into my initial time trial, I was confident of hitting a 1:56. This confidence stemmed from a humorous prediction I shared with Maio [Massimo Meregalli, Monster Energy Yamaha team manager] upon our arrival here, where we humorously anticipated achieving a 1:56. As each day passed, this joke seemed more like a premonition, and today, it became true."

"However, the issue from the previous year stemmed from replacing the tire without having a clear expectation of the lap time it would yield."

"During a single circuit today, out of the last three days, it performed exceptionally well."

Quartararo credits the enhancement in Yamaha's performance to both changes in his riding technique and technical advancements made to the YZR-M1.

"Quartararo noted that the 2025 M1 appears alike but differs significantly."

"Essentially, numerous electronic advancements have transformed my riding experience – there are new features on the bike now."

"Indeed, identifying new elements can be challenging, yet when we look at the lap times, it's clear that we achieved significantly faster speeds compared to the previous year."

While the adjustments have enhanced Quartararo's experience in certain aspects of his performance, the primary problem from the past few years still persists.

"The 2021 World Champion mentioned that there was a significant enhancement in their sensation when entering corners and also in the change of direction."

"Our vulnerability lies in our hold."

"Today, the circuit had a lot of traction; it's darkened with rubber. I wouldn't claim our lap time is inflated. Last year, the situation was similar, and we were a second behind the leader – now it's down to 0.3 seconds."

"I'm eager to find out when the track conditions will be extremely low on grip; these are the most challenging conditions for us."

Overall, Quartararo strongly believes that this has been the most successful pre-season for Yamaha since he became part of the factory team in 2021.

"He expressed that annually, particularly between 2022 and 2024, while they progress by a single step, Ducati and their competitors advance by two or three steps," he mentioned.

"I believe that this year, we've made significant progress. It's a shift in how we ride compared to 2019 or 2021, yet I sense the bike is swift, leading to a somewhat altered approach from before. However, this year marks the first time we've successfully narrowed the distance."

"Previously, we made progress, yet so did our competitors; at times, even outpacing us. Currently, I believe the disparity has narrowed."

Quartararo's excitement about the latest Yamaha setup extended beyond just its capability for a single lap.

The rider from France managed to complete several consecutive laps while displaying speed just slightly behind the fastest Ducatis by a margin of only a few tenths.

"The French competitor clarified, “It wasn't exactly a Sprint simulation; I had to complete six rounds using one configuration and another six rounds with a different setup, all while on fresh tires.”

"The performance has improved significantly. Reflecting on the previous year when we were positioned at 11th and 12th place in this location, it's clear that currently, we're competing closely with the speed of Marc Marquez, Francesco 'Pecco' Bagnaia, and Alex Marquez, who are the quickest here."

"In my opinion, the difference is significant, yet I'm quite pleased with the lap time we achieved, particularly because it wasn't just a one-off."

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In August 2024, Alex became part of the Crash.net crew after spending two years reporting on both consumer and racing motorcycle events for Visordown.

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Accident.Net

Lorenzo Savadori pledges to provide Jorge Martin with a significantly upgraded motorcycle

Savadori details Aprilia's testing efforts in the absence of Jorge Martin

Aprilia's test rider is adamant that he will return Jorge Martin's bike significantly improved.

MotoGP titleholder Martin was sidelined for two and a half days during the official Sepang trials following a severe accident on Wednesday morning.

With Martin unavailable, the task of advancing Aprilia's progress falls to his colleague Marco Bezzecchi and the test rider Lorenzo Savadori.

Savadori commented on his Friday testing efforts, stating, "We're focusing on advancing our aerodynamic capabilities. Our strategy involves pursuing dual paths – the key is to continually test, test, test…

"Creating the optimal bicycle for Jorge upon his comeback is challenging, yet it's crucial to accomplish."

Savadori remarked on the slimmer fairing observed on his Aprilia, stating, "It represents a progression. Additionally, there's a device on the fairing designed to analyze the wind more effectively.

"Let's give it another go. We've only attempted it for a couple of rounds."

Savadori was experimenting with fresh electronic components but mentioned the necessity of evaluating them using different types of tires.

"He explained that it's essential to grasp the nature of the TC when it's both pre-owned and brand new."

"At the start of the race, you're equipped with a fresh tire."

"Obviously, when you switch to a new tire, it offers increased traction, which is advantageous. However, this benefit applies to everyone."

Lorenzo Savadori Evaluates Marco Bezzecchi's Technique

Observers pointed out a distinct difference in how Savadori approached turns compared to Bezzecchi. It was mentioned that Savadori's technique involved more rounded movements through the corners, whereas Bezzecchi opted for a sharper, V-shaped trajectory.

He clarified, saying, "At the first turn, you have the option to stick to the inside or take a V-shaped path. The variation isn't significant; it's a matter of choice."

Our priority isn't on improving performance as it is for Marco; instead, our attention is on preparing the motorcycle for Jorge.

"Since there's no specific return time, he must choose the highest-quality bicycle available."

Unsurprisingly, Savadori ranked 22nd among 23 riders in the standings, with test riders from each manufacturer filling the last positions.

However, he demonstrated his ability to improve his speed by nine-tenths of a second by switching to a softer tyre.

"Truly, we're not racing against the clock! Our focus isn't on speed, but on getting the motorcycle ready for Jorge," he explained.

"Upon taking over from Raul Fernandez last year, my time was 58.8 seconds, yet the task at hand was entirely different."

"Switching to a soft tyre gives me greater leeway to speed up. However, this isn't the right location for it."

Bezzecchi finished ninth in speed on Friday, concluding a test session for Aprilia that was significantly disrupted due to injuries sustained by Martin and Trackhouse rider Raul Fernandez.

Savadori commented on Bezzecchi's transition from the Ducati, noting, "It's positive. He improves on the bike every day. Bez and I are aiming towards the same goal.

"Bez experimented with something I had previously attempted during the trial, and our observations are identical."

"His appearance on the track is impressive. He's on the right path to enhancing his performance."

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For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter for Sky Sports, where he covered a wide range of sports including American games, soccer, and Formula 1 racing.

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Accident.Report

Marco Bezzecchi struggles to push the bike to its maximum during initial Aprilia speed trial

"I'm pleased with how we did…"

In his debut with Aprilia, Marco Bezzecchi managed to complete his inaugural performance trial on the RS-GP during the concluding day of the MotoGP testing session in Sepang this week.

On the third day of the testing session, the Italian rider secured the ninth-fastest time, achieving a 1:57.328 during a morning time attack.

"Bezzecchi expressed, 'That was my initial assault.'"

Today, I genuinely carried out a live time trial. I'm pleased with the outcome.

"I believe I didn't push the bike to its maximum potential, but that wasn't due to the bike itself, rather it was because of my own limitations. I still have to gain a deeper comprehension and figure out where the bike's maximum capabilities lie."

"However, conducting a timed trial was crucial to assess the outcomes of the efforts made so far."

"There are still a few things left to test, meaning the task isn't complete yet."

Adjusting to the RS-GP

In the initial stages of his tenure with Aprilia, Bezzecchi has faced a significant workload in testing, largely due to the absence of Jorge Martin and Raul Fernandez from Trackhouse Racing. This has resulted in limited opportunities for him to spend extended time on the bike in a consistent configuration. The Italian rider acknowledges that he has yet to master riding the RS-GP in the most effective manner.

"Bezzecchi mentioned, 'I believe Sava [Lorenzo Savadori, the test rider for Aprilia] actually has a superior riding style when it comes to the Aprilia.'"

"His technique originated from his time with Aprilia, so he definitely has a deeper understanding of how to maneuver it. I believe I'm still in the process of getting used to it; my strength lies in braking, so I'm focusing on leveraging this advantage in my approach to riding."

"Yet occasionally, while riding the Aprilia, I find myself attempting to replicate my previous actions."

"Clearly, there are adjustments I still have to make, but I'm focused on improving. In certain sections, I managed to navigate in the style that suits me best."

He stated, "Ultimately, I'm fairly content. However, it's honestly challenging to find the flow when experimenting with various approaches."

"For me, this is my initial experience testing as a factory rider, and on the whole, I'm pleased because I managed to provide valuable feedback."

"However, the work remains incomplete, yet so far, it has been a positive experience for me."

"I believe that once we have the opportunity to concentrate on the environment and place greater emphasis on the riding aspect, I will endeavor to advance further."

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In August 2024, Alex became a part of the Crash.net crew after spending two years at Visordown, where he focused on reporting about motorcycles, from consumer trends to racing updates.

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