The 2019 off-season is underway in MotoGP. A crucial moment because it is strategic on the technical choices that a draconian regulation will then freeze for the coming campaign. To make a mistake now is to damage your chances for a year. Maverick Vinales reminds Yamaha. While slipping that we should listen to it first. Because Valentino Rossi also gives his opinion...
The official Yamahas finished the 2018 financial year less badly than they started it. However, if honor was safe, with a victory for Viñales at Phillip Island, the crisis took place. It is not yet fully resolved. It will only be if the right choices are made in the coming weeks. That is to say if the tests to come will be of paramount importance.
To summarize, few changes will be made to the chassis, but it will be necessary to lock in the best engine specification and make enormous progress in terms of electronics. And Vinales intends to weigh in on the choices to come: “ after the success in Australia, it is true that we are all happier and less stressed. To achieve victory at Phillip Island was great. He also helped me show the team that I had the potential to win races and try to compete for the title. We must analyze the mistakes we made and not repeat them "
The nature of the M1's technical problems has not always been clear and definitive. Performances alternated from one day to the next, even when conditions were similar: “ sometimes we couldn't explain » recalls the now number 12 who warns: “ we made a very serious mistake on the engine, we chose the wrong one and we paid dearly for it this season… We will try not to repeat the mistakes and I hope that Yamaha will not be in a hurry during this off-season. The decision regarding the choice of engine was made very quickly while there was still time to try more. You have to be very careful about the sensations you have on the bike.”
The first test in Valencia currently underway and that in Jerez the following week will therefore play a key role in the development of the 2019 prototype: “ we need to understand what we need and find out where this year's engine failed. My opinion is that we didn't have engine braking, the bike wouldn't stop, and it was very difficult with my riding style."
