Álex Rins overcame recent challenges with an eighth place finish at MotoGP's Malaysian GP, marking his first top ten finish and best result so far since joining Monster Energy Yamaha this year.
The Spanish driver admitted it was an improvement: 'It was good; fantastic, it's Pecco [Bagnaia] or [Jorge] Martin. But, yes, it was better. We have taken a step forward in our possibilities. It was my best result with Yamaha so far’.
Then, Rins commented: 'Honestly, since Saturday I've been feeling pretty good on the bike. Unfortunately, there was this red flag. I had an incredible start, I was there fighting with Marc [Márquez]. But, anyway, I gave my best, I tried to control the tires as much as possible’.
Despite the result, #42 admitted that there is still a lot to improve and understand: 'We still need to improve, we need to understand why the degradation is still quite high. But honestly, we work efficiently. Let's see Montmeló in the last race. It's a circuit with very little grip, it's a circuit where we suffered a lot in May, so let's try to give the best of ourselves and see if our bike improves a little’.
When asked what contributed to the improved performance, Rins replied: 'For me, it's electronics. The bike runs a little better here. I have more control, engine braking is better’.
