Quartararo assures: "Yamaha's level is different from 2024"

Yamaha left Sepang leaving its rivals in doubt about the progress it had made over the winter. During the first three days of pre-season testing, the Iwata factory was, in fact, regularly at the forefront, to the point of worrying the team manager of the official Ducati team.

Unfortunately, the performances recorded in Malaysia were not confirmed at the Buriram circuit. The venue that hosted the last two days of the 2025 pre-season, and which will host the first Grand Prix of the season, in Thailand. The latter was less suited to the characteristics of the M1, and after a difficult first day of action, Yamaha was unable to find a solution to turn things around the following day.

Despite improved track conditions fabio quartararo and Alex Rins finished 8th and 17th in the combined standings on Day 2. The Frenchman, who had been the occasional benchmark a week earlier, was 0.963s off the best time set by Marc Marquez. Rins was 1.363s off the top spot.

© Yamaha Factory MotoGP

Yamaha has made progress towards 2024

While this test represents a disappointment compared to Sepang, there is reason to be optimistic when looking at Yamaha's evolution compared to 2024. The enthusiasm has therefore calmed slightly, but the 2021 world champion is looking forward to starting the season with the package he has in his hands.

"I think we've taken a small step forward compared to last year, explains Fabio Quartararo in comments relayed by Yamaha. This test was a bit complicated for me. Like yesterday, the front tyres were not to our advantage during these two days. So we have to try to understand how we can improve for the first race.

"I think judging by our riding, we're doing pretty well, He continues. I hope we can make a step forward in terms of the feeling at the front. Which is usually our strong point for the race. I think our level is different than last year, but we want to approach this season without expectations and just do our best."

© Yamaha Factory MotoGP

Progress in the race?

Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha's official team manager, anticipates Yamaha's progress in the race. On this second day of action in Buriram, many riders from different brands carried out Sprint simulations. This allowed them to compare times between them.

“It was a different test to Sepang. During these two days we mainly worked on the set-up of the bikes for the GP, and we spent a lot of time on the electronics settings, confides the Italian. During the first day we had some difficulties, because of the track, and for all the riders it was difficult to find a good feeling with the front."

“The situation improved today, as the track conditions improved. We did a decent sprint race simulation, and at the end of the day we did some time attacks that showed we were able to close the gap to the fastest time in Buriram. Now we just have time to analyze all the data, rest after spending 20 days in Asia, and prepare for the start of the season.” concludes Massimo Meregalli.

In just under two weeks, in Thailand, the real level of the teams for the first part of the season will be able to be observed.

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