Yamaha Resumes MotoGP Testing with a Temporary Fix
Yamaha has resumed MotoGP testing at Sepang, after a mechanical issue caused them to withdraw from the second day of the three-day test. The issue, which raised safety concerns, led to a day-long hiatus from the track. However, the team worked tirelessly overnight with their engineering teams in Italy and Japan to find a stopgap solution, allowing them to continue testing.
The nature of the issue remains unclear, but sources suggest that riders returned to the track with reduced power and RPM. Despite this, Yamaha's three remaining riders, Alex Rins, Jack Miller, and Toprak Razgatlioglu, completed 74 laps in the first morning back. Rins was the fastest, 1.178 seconds slower than the pacesetting Gresini Ducati rider, Alex Marquez.
Team boss, Paolo Pavesio, emphasized the importance of resuming testing, despite the temporary disadvantage. He stated that the team's priority was to end the test on track, as they continue to gather data about the new V4 project, which will be debuted in 2026.
Pavesio noted that the bike is completely new, even compared to the Valencia model, and that extensive work was done in the winter to ensure all new features were functioning properly. He expressed satisfaction with the consistent feedback from riders, which is crucial for setting a base bike that is similar for all, thus gathering more consistent data.
Despite losing a day's track action, Yamaha's concession status granted them an extra three days at the shakedown test, allowing them to maximize their pre-season program. With two more days of testing at Buriram ahead of the opening race, the team is confident they have made the most of their preparation.
