Yamaha is continuing to do everything it can to close the gap to the European manufacturers. In addition to looking for a customer team, the Japanese are also making full use of the new MotoGP concessions. The regular riders are testing like crazy and are now getting a new engine in Assen. What can we expect from this?
Alex Rins reveals: One new engine per MotoGP bike at Yamaha in Assen
“We had a really good test day in Valencia, we tried out a lot. There are a few things that we can use here. In particular, we tested a very good engine,” reported Fabio Quartararo in a good mood. But the Frenchman also caused confusion because he only spoke about a race after the Dutch TT. Apparently, the 2021 world champion was asked about this by Yamaha.
Fortunately, teammate Alex Rins did not follow this order. The Spaniard even revealed the number of new engines for the weekend in the Netherlands: “We only have one per rider. The other bike will be equipped with the standard engine. So we can do a good comparison test.” The engines are actually homologated for an entire season, but Yamaha and Honda are exempt from this due to their concession classification and can bring out updates at any time.
Drivers’ hope: Regain Yamaha’s old strength in handling
Quartararo was also able to provide information about the characteristics of the new engine: “It’s more about handling and steering. In the past, it was much easier. I struggled physically in Mugello and Jerez. With this engine, agility and steering have clearly improved.” Yamaha is the only manufacturer that still uses an in-line engine instead of a V4. This concept is said to have performance disadvantages, but also handling advantages. However, the latter have been increasingly lost in recent months and the drivers complained about a stiff motorcycle that demanded everything from them physically.
With the new engine, this trend seems to have been reversed. Rins also reports this: “I never had the chance to test the old bikes [die Yamahas vor 2024, Anm. d. Red.] to drive, but with this new engine it seems to be heading a little in that direction again. But with more power for the straights.” In Hamamatsu, the weak points of the M1 now seem to be being specifically addressed: “It was better at turning in, which is one of our biggest problems at the moment.”
Will Yamaha’s hard work bear fruit? Only the race will reveal the truth
Overall, Rins is extremely satisfied with his involvement in the MotoGP project: “It’s unbelievable how much effort Yamaha puts into everything. Riders and engineers even work on Saturdays and Sundays to prepare everything. A few new parts arrived today.” And the upgrades will continue. In addition to a customer team, the test program will also be further expanded.
To what extent all these efforts can bring Yamaha back to the top is still a long-term question. First of all, it’s just a matter of taking things step by step. And one of these should become apparent in Assen. “Of course it doesn’t make a huge difference, but I expect us to be faster,” says Quartararo. With the many changes of direction and the famous Geert Timmer chicane before the start-finish line, the properties of the new engine could certainly help.
But test drives are still test drives. Alex Rins doesn’t want to go too far out on a limb: “We found a few tenths in Valencia, but to be honest it’s difficult to judge whether it’s really better. The real test will only come tomorrow and over the course of the weekend. I can only give real feedback on Sunday after the race.” It is to be hoped that both drivers will not be pushed to their physical limits and beyond again.