Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins are slated to test an entirely new Yamaha M1 MotoGP bike during the post-Spanish Grand Prix session at Jerez on Monday.
The Iwata-based manufacturer has gone to great lengths to assure Quartararo that his future lies best with them, securing his contract extension in a move that surprised many in the paddock.
While a substantial €12 million offer undoubtedly played a role in Quartararo’s decision to remain at Yamaha, significant improvements in the factory’s responsiveness also influenced his choice to commit until the end of the 2026 season.
To further entice Quartararo to stay, team principal Lin Jarvis offered the 25-year-old a completely revamped bike, which he will have the chance to test this Monday at Jerez during the first official in-season test of 2024.
“Yamaha will introduce a new engine, a new chassis, a new swingarm, and some aerodynamic updates on Monday at the test—a whole new bike,”
Some of these components underwent testing by the Japanese manufacturer’s test and development rider, Cal Crutchlow, during a private session last week in Barcelona.
“It was an unfortunate test,” remarked the same source. “Once again, unfavorable weather conditions, with several days of rain, hindered our progress.” said a team member.
Following the Portuguese GP, the team’s race riders took to the track for a private test day at Portimao. However, adverse weather conditions, including wind and dirt, limited Quartararo and Rins to just six laps.
During this test, the French manufacturer had only one power unit available. However, come Monday, both Quartararo and Rins will have access to all the new equipment, including engine, chassis, swingarm, and aerodynamic parts, indicating a marked improvement in the team’s preparedness.
During Monday’s test, the engine will undergo trials with the current spec-A prototype to assess any notable enhancements. Subsequently, the remaining updates will be gradually introduced to evaluate their effectiveness and discern which ones yield advantages.
The Barcelona test saw Yamaha hastily conducting initial tests due to the looming threat of rain, limiting the opportunity for substantial running before track conditions deteriorated.
Stay tuned with We4GP for more news.
