Positive signals that give Yamaha hope for 2025

After dropping down the hierarchy during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Yamaha may have found new momentum last year. The results remained modest but under the leadership of Max Bartolini, formerly of Ducati who became technical director, the manufacturer abandoned some of its methods and was more aggressive in its development.

Progress remained essential at all levels and at the end of the season, the drivers noticed an improvement in the area of ​​aerodynamics. “After Aragón, we started to see the fruits of the work done so far, and it’s working”underlined Massimo Meregalli, the boss of the official team, on the championship website. “When you work hard and don’t see any results, it becomes heavier and harder to manage.”

“We started to see some light”added the Italian. “On a pu rester [à un certain niveau]. The aerodynamic engineers really worked hard and well. The pilots really started to understand how the aero works when we made comparisons, when we went back to its first version. They really understood the benefits of the latest version of aerodynamics.”

Fabio Quartararo concluded the year encouraged by the changes made internally and the parts he was able to test in Barcelona, ​​just after the last Grand Prix of the year. His teammate Álex Rins shared his enthusiasm. The latter indeed felt that his team had “progressed on the settings” and he perceived changes making piloting “a little easier”with “a little more contact on the rear tire”.

The Spaniard also had the impression that Yamaha had interesting developments, but still requiring adjustments. “Yamaha brought new things, a new chassis, a new engine, and I felt really good with this new chassis”explained Rins. “I was able to maintain more speed in the middle of the corner. I expected it to be maybe a little better in terms of braking but there were very small improvements.”

“Regarding the engine, it’s true that it is more powerful in a straight line and coming out of corners, but with my riding style at least, we are not ready to have this power. The bike was quite aggressive, She was skating a lot, so we need to adjust the electronics.”

Rins is still waiting for “big change” before the start of the upcoming season by taking advantage of “lots of data”notably thanks to the first test carried out by Pramac, Yamaha’s new satellite team, with its recruits Miguel Oliveira and Jack Miller.

“Oliveira seems to be adapting quite well to the Yamaha, while Miller, judging by the times, seemed to struggle a little more. But now it’s up to Yamaha to put it all together and see what they can do for Sepang.”

It is in fact at Sepang that the year will really begin for Yamaha, with a presentation on January 31, the day the Shakedown begins, in which the brand will be able to take part thanks to its concessions.

With Lena Buffa