Is the Japanese mentality changing?
The Iwata manufacturer is working hard with the aim of closing the gap to the leaders, and held several tests on the Mugello circuit before the Italian Grand Prix and also after. It was no coincidence, in fact, that Alex Rins was fast on Friday and that on Saturday he directly hit Q2. Rins and Fabio Quartararo are working with Yamaha to improve the M1 and the technical manager Massimo Bartoliniwho arrived directly from Ducati, explained the work he is carrying out: “The big difference is not in the technical possibilities. All manufacturers have created a great foundation. But we need to accelerate development and we have already started to do so. The distance from Japan exists, but this is not a reason not to develop rapidly”.
Speaking about the work, he added in detail: “Bridging the gap to the heart of development is easy. I spend about a week a month in Japan and we work closely together. But the crucial point is the basic understanding of development. In the past, in the eras of Japanese rule, there was always a specific technique for a season and a phase of development. Outside of this, nothing has changed as a matter of principle. Europeans, however, work completely differently. In reality, their work never stops. When a part has been improved, it is immediately revised with the idea of constantly improving it. This is how MotoGP development works today for successful brands. And they also understood this at Yamaha.”
“Very effective test”
For this there is also a structure in Italy: “Although the basis is created in the racing department in Japan, we can also implement some elements in Europe. The team is based in Italy and one of my tasks is to permanently connect the two technical departments”. The technical director then spoke about an area that they are developing correctly: “The test we did at Mugello was very effective and above all the new aerodynamics harmonized very well with the track. The good aerodynamics are particularly noticeable here. I also assume that we will feel some of the positive effects in the next races too.”
2024 MotoGP calendar
