MotoGP test: the Yamaha more efficient at Sepang, is it enough?

Aftter three days of testing at Sepang, it’s almost time for the MotoGP riders to take to the track with the bikes that have been “polished”  by the test riders during the shakedown.

The teams have brought updates, whether aerodynamic, engine or chassis-related, and have already received some initial – unofficial – feedback.

But it remains to be soon who has done the best work over the winter. The riders will provide their first responses tomorrow. As will the stopwatch.

The M1 strives to catch up

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Yamaha has the tough task of putting a smile back on its rider’s face. A great deal of work has been done in Iwata over the winter in an attempt to close the gap to Ducati. The M1 (or rather M1s, seeing as Cal took to the track with three different configurations) flaunted some obvious aerodynamic updates in Crutchlow’s hands, with a totally revised front section compared to the previous M1, with a more protective top fairing that will better deviate flow over the rider’s helmet, and brand-new winglets, no longer “curved”, but still split (in line with the regulation).

There is great anticipation regarding the engine. The arrival of Luca Marmorini last year, who is consulting re work on the inline four, says a lot about which area the technicians consider most pressing. The Yamaha engine, deemed a little brusque in its delivery, has likely undergone changes that have modified the torque curve, allowing Crutchlow to also exploit the acceleration out of the corners. A fundamental riding phase, supported also by the swingarm brought to Malaysia. The latter aims to restore a degree of predictability in terms of the bike’s reactions upon opening the throttle, while also improving traction.

The acid test lies with Fabio

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As for top speed, an area that could have come under scrutiny although not necessarily, there is little to report right now for the M1, although Crutchlow was able to reach 335.4 Km/h compared to the 330.2 Km/h set by Quartararo last year (Bagnaia recorded a 334.4). A little or a lot? The way a rider exits the last turn weighs heavily on lap times at Sepang, as well as the fact that the increase may be down to the new and probably already more efficient aero-pack.

Basically, the lap times are still too green for us to be able to draw any conclusions about the work relating to power. But there does appear to be an improvement in terms of delivery and traction. Assuming Yamaha provides Quartararo with a “super engine” in Malaysia.