Worried Rossi insists “we need more” from Yamaha engine

Yamaha duo Maverick Vinales and Rossi each had one ’20 prototype M1 for the post-season tests in Spain, which featured a new engine as well as other new parts. Though the engine delivered more power than its predecessor, and Vinales topped both tests outright, it still proved to be some 10km/h down on the Ducati and Honda engines.

With Rossi and Vinales spending most of ’19 pleading with Yamaha to find more power to match its rivals, team boss Massimo Meregalli believes the motor used in testing is “close” to the final version which will be sealed ahead of the opening race of ’20 in Qatar in March.

“Yeah, we improved but they [Ducati and Honda] also improved,” Meregalli said. “Here [at Jerez], as you know, is not a circuit where top speed makes the difference, and also checking the results in the end the gap is not big. But in Valencia for sure it was bigger.

“As I said before we expect to receive some small updates in Sepang but I don’t expect something bigger, because as you know the driveability, durability is very important. To reach this point, for sure they [engineers] spend a lot of time and for this I can’t imagine… for sure it’s not the final version, but we are close.”

When asked by Motorsport.com if Meregalli’s comments were a worry, Rossi replied: “Yes. So, for me, the engine is [going] in a good way, but the gap [in top speed] is still big because if you take 10km/h, 9km/h [deficit], when you have longer straights it’s a big problem. 

“We feel something [positive], but we need more. I hope they are able to improve a little bit for next year.”

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For the Jerez test, Yamaha gave Petronas SRT’s Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo the prototype engine to try. Morbidelli, who ended the test seventh overall, says the new motor is “more angry” in higher gears and was happier with it as the engine “keeps Yamaha’s soul”. 

“I tried the new spec, I had a good feeling on it,” Morbidelli told Motorsport.com. “Seems a bit faster, a bit more angry in fifth and sixth gear, and this is what we wanted and this is positive.

“[It] still keeps Yamaha’s soul, the engine has Yamaha’s soul. It is really smooth. I am happy with the job they’ve done.”

When pressed for what more he wants from the engine, Morbidelli said: “What I would like is to have more power and keep the rideability that the bike and the engine has.

“I don’t know if they will manage to do that, but it seems that this engine is already a step [forward].”

Franco Morbidelli, Petronas Yamaha SRT

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images