Yamaha exceeded own expectations with updated M1 in…

Yamaha says it outperformed its own expectations in Tuesday’s official MotoGP test in Barcelona, with Fabio Quartararo clocking the second-fastest time of the day.

The Japanese manufacturer brought a revised version of the M1 to Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, having managed to upgrade the chassis, aerodynamics and engine.

Factory rider Quartararo ended up just 0.4s behind Gresini’s Alex Marquez on the all-conquering GP24, having managed to improve on the time with which he qualified 10th on the grid in last weekend’s season finale at the same track.

Team-mate Alex Rins also enjoyed a strong day to finish eighth, while Yamaha collected additional data from the bikes of Miguel Oliveira and Jack Miller, as Pramac joined its stable as a satellite team.

Team director Massimo Meregalli hailed the performance of Yamaha in the Barcelona test, particularly because the feedback from the riders was backed up by the improved speed of the bike on track.

“The three items that we mainly evaluated were chassis, aerodynamics and a slightly updated engine, all these three items gave us positive feedback,” Massimo Meregalli told MotoGP’s official website.

“But before really judging anything we prefer to wait until [the next test in] Sepang [in February] because you can't really judge single items in one circuit, it's better to at least double check.

Yamaha MotoGP Team bike detail (Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images)

“All the steps we did in this direction brought us a good feeling but also results. This is very important because many times in the past we always listened to the feelings of the riders but now we want to match the feeling with the results.

“I can say that the test finished better than our expectations. For me it's a good way to finish such a long and tough season.”

Quartararo was also in an upbeat mood after testing the updated M1 on Tuesday, as he could attest the steps the Iwata brand had made with a bike that could finish no higher than sixth in a grand prix all year.

“I think it was a good day. We tried out quite a few things, and without really doing a time attack we set a better time than in qualifying,” he told reporters in Barcelona.

“We set the fastest time with the new chassis and the new engine, so that was positive, and without really starting with 3kg of fuel - I think we started with 8-9kg.

“Of course I was at the limit, but we could have made up a few more hundredths or tenths to go a bit quicker.”

While the Barcelona test was already encouraging for Yamaha, Quartararo revealed that bigger upgrades will follow when the paddock reconvenes in Malaysia for the start of pre-season testing on 5-7 February.

Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha MotoGP Team (Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images)

“The new engine already gave us a bit more speed, with the same agility, the steering with the new chassis was also good,” he said. “We also tried a new fairing to maybe have a bit more top speed but it wasn't any better, it was the same. We tried some pretty interesting things.

“I think we're heading in the right direction and the biggest things that were supposed to happen will happen in Malaysia, that's what was planned. So the direction is good and I hope it can help for the future.”

However, Quartararo explained that Yamaha still has not been able to overcome some of the long-standing weaknesses of the M1, even if the overall packer was stronger than what he raced with in 2024.

“I don't think there were any real improvements on the corner exit, which is where I think we need to improve,” he said. “With the new chassis, we've improved the corner entry a little bit, but what we're lacking is a bit on the exit.”

He added: “Power and grip is the only thing I can ask for. In terms of grip we are really, really far.

“And [as for the] the power, Santa Claus already came earlier to give us a bit of extra [power] but I will ask even more because we know we miss it.”

Yamaha’s approach to the Barcelona test was in stark contrast to that of Honda, which did not have any new parts to run - leaving factory rider Joan Mir a frustrated 15th in the standings.