Just days before his first real MotoGP test at the IRTA Valencia tests, Toprak Razgatlioglu has already made contact with the Yamaha V4 under specific conditions at MotorLand Aragon. Paolo Pavesio, Yamaha Racing Director, revealed the objectives and lessons learned from this discreet test, crucial for the future of the Japanese manufacturer's MotoGP project.
The test session carried out earlier this week at Aragon It was not on the official program. Organized in complete calm, it had only one objective: to allow Toprak Razgatlioglu to take control of the Yamaha V4 before the IRTA trials in Valencia.
The conditions were far from favorable: a cold track not exceeding 18°C, only two sets of tires available, and a tire choice described as "poor" by Yamaha , due to a misunderstanding with Michelin .
Despite this less than ideal context, Razgatlioglu recorded a time of 1'49''1 after only a few laps. For comparison, Aleix Espargaró — who was also driving that day with the Honda development and had many more lathes — turned into 1'48''7.
Paolo Pavesio However, he insists on the limited nature of the session:
« This test was not a real testWe organized it. to reassure him and check its piloting position. He was not supposed to arrive in Valencia on Tuesday without ever having ridden a motorcycle. »
One of the priorities of Yamaha was to assess the reaction of Soil facing forward Michelin radically different from Pirelli which he uses in Superbike.
According to PavesioThe SBK world champion adapted with remarkable speed:
« He had the situation perfectly under control. in terrible conditions, with tires he wasn't familiar with. For a rider like him, the feeling with the front end is crucial. »
This minimalist test run, however, confirmed one essential point: the problems identified during previous tests are not specific to a particular circuit, which allows for Yamaha to better target the technical priorities of the V4 project.
A quick trip by Yamaha's management team to Aragon: we were keen to see Toprak Razgatlioglu's first laps »
The presence of Soil on V4 was important enough to mobilize several executives from Yamaha racing.
Paolo Pavesio recounts taking a flight to Barcelona with Max Bartolini (technical director) and Mayo Meregalli (team manager), before joining Aragon at 3:30 am to attend the session.
« We were keen to see his first laps. Luckily, it was cold and the tests started late. »
This session was also an opportunity for Soil to meet his future chief mechanic, Alberto Giribuola, former engineer at Ducati and KTM, who will oversee its adaptation to MotoGP from 2026.
The technical return of Razgatlioglu impressed Yamaha :
« During the final briefing, many more people were listening than in Superbike. Toprak asked us if we were all there because of himHe spoke for thirty minutes, and everyone listened attentively. » we read on speedweek.
This scene illustrates the importance of the V4 project for Yamaha , and the attention given to its future star driver.
Paolo Pavesio recalls the Japanese manufacturer's roadmap:
2026 will be a year of transition and development, during which Razgatlioglu will have to learn the specifics of MotoGP.
In 2027,Yamaha will set specific objectives when the V4 project has reached a sufficient level of maturity.
During IRTA tests in Valencia on TuesdayToprak will finally take to the track against the MotoGP riders. But he won't be making any media appearances: the Turkish rider is still busy with commitments related to his Superbike title and his departure from BMWOn the track, however, he will be fully present.
The first official times of a Razgatlioglu now linked to Yamaha MotoGP will be scrutinized down to the minute.
