Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP |News details:Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP End Sepang Test On Positive Note

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Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP wrapped up the first official MotoGP test of 2024 today at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins wrapped up the three days of testing in 11th and 16th place respectively in the overall standings.

Sepang (Malaysia), 8th February 2024

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team's Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins completed their programme at the Sepang Official MotoGP Test today. The third consecutive eight-hour session was crucial to collect some final data on various new items. The Factory Yamaha riders ultimately took 11th and 15th place respectively in today’s timesheets and 11th and 16th in the overall MotoGP test results.

Quartararo picked up work on Day 3 where he left off, getting in as many laps as possible to make sure a clear direction is set for the next test and the further development of the 2024 YZR-M1. He completed 56 laps and at the end he approved the new engine, aerodynamics, and launch device and noted the positive race pace. His best time on Day 3, a 1'57.525s set on lap 12, saw him finish the test in 11th position in both today’s and the overall test results, 0.843s from first.

Rins used the final day of riding in Sepang to fully form his verdict on the various testing items brought here by Yamaha. Like his teammate, his full focus was on getting the bike MotoGP-season ready and gathering as much data as possible. His fastest lap was a 1’57.879s, set on lap 13/52, that had him finish the Sepang Test in 15th place in the Day 3 rankings and in 16th position in the combined results, 1.197s from the top.

The team will now return to Europe whilst the engineers in Japan process the testing data. The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team will regroup at the Losail International Circuit from 19-20 February for the final official test before kicking off the 2024 MotoGP season at the same track with the Grand Prix of Qatar, held from 8-10 March.

Massimo Meregalli

Team Director

We gathered a lot of good information. The areas that we worked on the most were the engine and aerodynamics, and we also introduced a new rear starting device. All these items have been approved and confirmed by all riders: Cal, Fabio, and Álex. This is a good sign: the work done during the winter break has been done correctly. We still have a lot of work to do, but we are satisfied with the work we got done here. It's true that there's still a gap that we have to close, but we still have time during the preseason to work on making this gap smaller and smaller. In terms of race pace, we suspect we have made an improvement as we could also see that the bike is a bit faster. The aerodynamics are helping the rider with the turning, and the starting device is giving the riders less wheelie-ing and more acceleration. Now, if I have to point out an area of improvement, for sure it's qualifying, so that's the next target.

Fabio Quartararo

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider

We still need to improve our one-lap pace, so hopefully we can make a step forward. That's basically the next step for the next test and the first few GPs. The 2024 engine is better, the aerodynamics are better too, but we are missing electronical grip. But I think that step by step we will come closer to the top. My goal is to be on the first two rows in qualifying, three maximum, because I know that on the pace I'm pretty fast.

Álex Rins

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider

I'm quite happy because we are doing a good testing job so far. It's true that we're still working on the set-up in terms of bettering the configuration of the bike. I was struggling a little bit to stop the bike, and the rear tyre lifted a bit. We're losing a bit of time in that area. During these last five days of testing, we focused on trying to test items, and we didn't pay as much attention to the set-up. But anyway, I'm quite happy with the work done. We collected a good amount of data, so let's see if we can continue like this and keep improving.