Following its first winless MotoGP season since 2003, Yamaha provided Fabio Quartararo with updated engine, chassis and aerodynamic parts at the Valencia test, where new signing Alex Rins made his M1 debut.
While aerodynamics was the ‘priority’ for Quartararo and Rins, the Frenchman also tried out engine and chassis developments.
“There were some big changes, especially on the aero side. But I think that the direction we took was the right one. We made a step in this area,” said Quartararo, who finished the test 12th fastest (0.769s).
But the other developments had not been so fruitful.
“We tried new a chassis, but it was not so great, and the engine is really similar, slightly better but just a little,” Quartararo said.
Rins, riding his third different brand of MotoGP machine in just over a year, spent most of the day acclimatising to the M1 before also trying the new aero.
The former Suzuki and LCR Honda race winner was 19th quickest but within 1.3s of test leader Maverick Vinales.
“It was my first day with the Yamaha team, and I‘m so happy because it was a really good day,” said Rins, who rode for 54 laps.
“We tested many things: small things regarding set-up. We only worked on the aerodynamics. I‘m quite happy because I adapted quite well to the bike so early on.
“The last hours, from midday to the end of the session, we were trying fairings, and they made a step forward compared to the fairing I used in the morning, which was the race fairing.”
Team director Massimo Meregalli confirmed: “We mainly worked on three different items with Fabio today: aerodynamics – which was our priority, the first step of the 2024 engine, and a new chassis.
“Álex adapted so quickly to the bike that he too had the opportunity to test the new fairings.
“One day was maybe not enough to get everything set up perfectly because we had so many things to try, but all in all it‘s been a positive day. Both riders noticed an improvement, and this confirms our course of action has been the right one.
“We will send all the data to Yamaha Motor Company in Japan and Yamaha Motor Racing in Italy, where the Yamaha engineers will work tirelessly to prepare the next steps for the tests in Sepang.”
Due to the revised concessions rankings, Quartararo and Rins will now be able to take part in the Sepang Shakedown test as well as the Official test, next February.
Keyword: Valencia MotoGP Test: Yamaha: Three different items, aerodynamics ‘priority’, Alex Rins ‘so happy’