MotoGP started the new 2025 season three weeks ago with the Barcelona test. Some exciting technology trends have already been identified, and every manufacturer has had some innovations. Ducati and Aprilia are already doing the first laps with their motorcycles for the new season, while the other three designers were only testing new parts on their 2024 machines. The manufacturer that was probably shown the least in Barcelona was Yamaha.
There were three motorcycles each in the garages of Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins, but many updates could not be seen from the outside. The new customer team Pramac even had to make do with the standard bikes for the 2024 season. A new chassis, a new swingarm, a new engine specification and individual aero updates to existing concepts were tested during the last MotoGP test drives of the year. Yamaha didn't have a V4 engine in Barcelona (yet).
Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins strong in the Barcelona test
Nevertheless, the Yamaha factory team had a pleasant day of testing, as both pilots had the same speed. Quartararo finished the test in a stronger second place, just 0.396 seconds short of Alex Marquez's best time on the Ducati GP24. During the previous race weekend in Barcelona, the Frenchman had lost a tenth and a half more on this motorcycle in qualifying. And Rins also made very similar progress, finishing eighth and now 0.765 seconds behind.
“The three components that we mainly wanted to evaluate here – chassis, aero and engine – gave us overall positive feedback. All the steps we have taken in this direction have not only given our riders a better feeling, but are also reflected in the results,” said team boss Massimo Meregalli in an interview with “MotoGP.com” and said: “That is very important for us. We have listened to the drivers' feelings in the past, but now we also want to see that in the results. I can therefore say that we exceeded our expectations in this test.
“I think it was a good day. We tried a few things and achieved a faster time than in qualifying, even though we didn't try any 'time attack',” star driver Quartararo also drew a positive conclusion and then revealed: “I think we are on the right track now . And the biggest updates we have planned are coming to Malaysia.
Yamaha only hits the big shots at the Sepang test
Unlike Ducati or Aprilia, the really big innovations at Yamaha are only unpacked in Sepang. Due to the concession regulations, the manufacturer from Iwata is allowed to take part in the shakedown (January 31st – February 2nd) with its four regular drivers. Combined with the Sepang test (February 5th – 7th), Yamaha has six test days available at the Sepang International Circuit. Enough time to test even larger updates extensively. However, what exactly Yamaha will bring to Sepang is still unclear. Rins just says: “From what they say, I expect a big change in the next test. But I can’t tell you what it’s about.”
It is probably not a V4 engine; it will probably not be used in the first tests until mid-2025. The two Yamaha factory riders have clear expectations of the Sepang test. “Yamaha needs to improve – for me in particular – on braking and corner entry. This year they couldn't give me a motorcycle that would allow me to compete in these areas. We also have to improve the engine performance and the electronics,” says Rins and Quartararo says: “Power and grip. We are way behind, especially when it comes to grip. Santa Claus has already brought us a little power, but we could use a little more. We’re still missing something there too.”
