Yamaha debuts new front wing in Barcelona MotoGP test
Yamaha goes aggressive with aero development ahead of 2025 as it seeks to close the gap to the front
Yamaha turned heads in Tuesday’s official MotoGP test in Barcelona as it introduced a significantly overhauled version of the M1.
As the Japanese manufacturer revealed, further improvements have been made to the chassis, engine and aerodynamics on the back of some promising updates at the end of the season.
The most striking and macroscopic change was the new front end, including a complete redesign of the wing that it raced in the latter part of the season.
Once again, it’s a triplane element, but with a changed centre of pressure. The aim is to increase the front downforce with three elements that are decidedly more arched.
The cantilevered part of the main element is already at the maximum value permitted by MotoGP regulations, so only the chord has changed and is now increased to a gull-wing shape that is clearly accentuated.
2024 bike (left) vs 2025 prototype (right)
Photo by: Lorenza Dadderio
The above image clearly shows the updated Yamaha M1 featuring a more protruding and cantilevered three-element front wing than the race-spec 2024 bike.
Interestingly, the engine air intake, which previously rested on the second spoiler, now features two carbon supports that extend to the first element and act as airflow carriers.
During their work in the wind tunnel, engineers at Yamaha have also worked to build a more efficient fairing, which is now more hollowed out.
Armed with the updated M1, factory rider Fabio Quartararo finished a strong second in the Barcelona test, four tenths down on pacesetter Alex Marquez of Gresini Ducati.
Team director Massimo Meregalli branded the test a success, saying Yamaha was able to exceed its own expectations as the results backed up the feedback provided by the riders.
The Japanese manufacturer was also able to collect additional data from the Barcelona test, as Pramac began work as its new satellite team after ending a two-decade relationship with Ducati.
Photos from Barcelona test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
Barcelona Official Test
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.- The Motorsport.com Team
Share Or Save This Story
Ferrari set to follow Austria F1 engine updates with new turbo
Ferrari set to introduce new F1 fuel and engine updates in Austria
Active aero banned at F1 Monaco GP
Fabio Quartararo officially switches to Honda for 2027 MotoGP season
Honda chooses Luca Marini's crew chief for Fabio Quartararo's arrival
MotoGP's single-bike proposal on brink of collapse
Latest news
Why Kimi Antonelli’s aggressive driving style works so well in F1 2026
"All weaknesses are gone": Is the new DTM spec tire hurting Porsche?
The Next Generation: Nikola Tsolov
Lewis Hamilton takes "full responsibility" for disappointing Belgian GP result
Feature
Does nobody want to win the 2026 MotoGP title?
What we learned as MotoGP's title fight tightened in German GP
Five things we learned from MotoGP’s action-packed Dutch GP
Aprilia faces its biggest challenge right now – and Marc Marquez is just one part of it
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Top Comments