TECHNICAL OVERVIEW # MalaysianGP
YAMAHA
Yamaha has been aggressive in its hiring policy over the winter months , signing up Max Bartolini ( Technical Director ) and Marco Nicotra ( Senior Aerodynamics Engineer ) from Ducati . Lead rider Fabio Quartararo has already noted a positive change in approach in the factory box , which led to him signing a twoyear extension with Yamaha for 2025 and ’ 26 .
Work over the offseason has focussed on improving the M1 ’ s engine , as well as its electronics package , which Quartararo believes is some way behind Ducati ’ s . A new engine is certainly faster in terms of top speed . But it remains a twitchy , nervous bike which is very physical for the riders to manhandle – a far cry from the sweet handling M1s of old .
The bike is lacking in all areas currently , with Quartararo stating in Qatar that Yamaha is now further away from the top than ever . The M1 is below par during a time attack – last year ’ s glaring weakness . At least the factory is aggressively testing and bringing new parts to speed up its recovery with factory riders testing seven different engines by Misano . Still , it sits some way from the very top . But there is at least a sense that Yamaha is taking its MotoGP™ operation seriously with the benefits likely to be felt next year .
“ Fabio Quartararo has already noted a positive change in approach in the factory box , which led to him signing a two-year extension with Yamaha for 2025 and ’ 26 ”
54 | MotoGP™