Yamaha out in full force for testing
Yamaha have seemingly made their biggest attempt in months to fix the issues with their M1 machine at last week’s Aragon test, spending two days on track alongside some of their rivals. Reportedly completing a significant number of laps – an indicator they weren’t just working on race settings for the Aragon Grand Prix in two weeks’ time – the manufacturer has remained silent so far on what was on offer to Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales.
But the test’s importance to the firm is in itself telling. So important they vetoed the chance of racing at Silverstone the day after the British Grand Prix was cancelled despite looking strong at the Northants circuit, it could well mark the first time that Rossi and Viñales will be able to try out their 2019-spec engine. Blaming electronics for their acceleration woes until recently, the team have now accepted the current engine (whose spec remains frozen until the end of the season) also plays a part in the crisis that’s seen them go 20 races without a victory.
The Yamaha duo were also joined by Jonas Folger making a surprise appearance. As first reported last month by MCN the former MotoGP podium finisher will be joining the factory in a European-based testing role that brings Yamaha in line with Honda, KTM Suzuki and Ducati (and with Aprilia, the final factory team, set to do similarly next season with Bradley Smith). The German was spectating while Rossi and Viñales were on track at the private test. Also at Aragon were Ducati, KTM and Suzuki, in what could be MotoGP’s last private test. Next year’s new rules mean contracted riders can only ride at official test dates, with the first due at Valencia and Jerez following the season finale in mid-November.
‘The current engine plays a part in the crisis’