M1: back to the future
YAMAHA YZR-M1
Riders Franco Morbidelli, Maverick Viñales, Fabio Quartararo, Valentino Rossi
Wins 7 Podium 11
Best championship position
2nd – Morbidelli
Not only was the top Yamaha in the championship a 2019 machine in the hands of Franco Morbidelli, but the lion’s share of Yamaha’s 2020 success came courtesy of the satellite Petronas squad. Fabio Quartararo had the ’20 bike at his disposal, which was fast when conditions aligned, but inconsistency completely derailed his championship challenge. Yamaha famously only make small developments each season, yet the new M1 seemed to create an inconsistency, especially when temperatures changed. Yamaha could only comment that there was very little difference between the bikes despite calls from both Fabio and Maverick suggesting they would like to move back to the 2019 machine. Engine woes, following the valve issues allowed Yamaha to showcase their prowess in terms of reliability, with Morbidelli completing the majority of the season using only two engines. Both motors were way over mileage, but finishing on the podium in the final rounds showed they were still performing. Morbidelli ran the carbon-fibre swingarm for the entire season, a part that arrived late in 2019. It was tested by all the Yamaha riders on several occasions throughout 2020, but only Morbidelli found success with it.
In terms of aerodynamics, all four riders stayed with the lower downforce option body for the entire season. In 2019 the riders switched between the two options but this season were unanimous that less downforce worked best. Yamaha suffered more than most with braking issues in Austria, where the stable nature of their machine made it difficult to stop. Their famed stability provides confidence in fast corners, but means slowing for hairpins is compromised. Quartararo felt the 2020 M1 was more nervous, which suggests a shift in Yamaha philosophy to improve performance in stop-go turns.
Riders Aleix Espargaró, Bradley Smith and Lorenzo Savadori Wins 0 Podium 0
Best result 8th Espargaró Best championship position
17th Espargaró
A disappointing season for Aprilia on the much-anticipated new machine. Engine reliability issues seemed to halt progress right from the opening round in Jerez. Top speed was improved with the 2020 machine, but getting the power to the ground still remained an issue. Finding the sweet spot where the bike doesn’t wheelie or spin remains elusive, a change in the engine character for 2020 brought progress, but weight distribution and electronic intrusion remained an unsolved puzzle.