As now every year, representatives of the six manufacturers involved in MotoGP are invited to a press conference to answer questions from journalists.
After Barcelona where Honda with Takeo Yokoyama (HRC Technical Manager), Suzuki with Ken Kawauchi (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and Aprilia with Paolo Bonora (Aprilia Racing) have already spoken out, it was the turn of Yamaha, Ducati and KTM to do so in Aragón.
Today, after those of Ducati with David Barana (Technical Director of Ducati Corse) and KTM with Sebastian Risse (MotoGP Technical Coordinator Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), we report without any formatting the comments of Takahiro Sumi (Yamaha YZR-M1 Project Leader) broadcast by teleconference on the official website MotoGP.com at the start of the Teruel Grand Prix.
This year has been a challenge for all manufacturers, but particularly for Yamaha who experienced engine problems at the start of the season before being able to resolve them. How satisfied are you with the performance level of the 2020 Yamaha?
Takahiro Sumi : " Honestly, not great, but I'm happy with our performance overall. Last year we were fast during practice sessions and qualifying, but not very strong during the races. This is the point we wanted to improve for this year. Top speed is one of the main topics that needs to be improved and we have made a few steps forward compared to last year, but unfortunately the opponents have too. So the situation is not that different from what we expected, and that's a subject. Nevertheless, we now have three race winners on Yamaha, and Valentino has also regained his feeling and speed. The four Yamaha riders are now ready to fight for victory. Considering this overall, we are confident that we are moving in the right direction, even if there is still a lot of work to do to achieve our objective. »
Yamaha has won 50% of the races so far this season and has retained its DNA of high cornering speed. You say that we still need to improve the top speed, but how are you going to do it when the engines are frozen until the end of 2021?
« We need to develop even more than before to improve our strengths. Unfortunately, now, passing speed and handling are no longer the monopoly of Yamaha because the opponents present have unfortunately made a lot of progress in this area, and in particular Suzuki. So we need to make more efforts on this. And we are also not giving up on improving the top speed for next year, because even if the engine is frozen for next season, this is only part of the elements and we can find another way to progress next year. »
How much responsibility for performance lies between the rider, the team and the bike?
« Overall it's balanced, but now the Yamaha is even closer to the riders. What is important for Yamaha is that the motorcycle settings correlate as closely as possible to the riders' demands. So a single part is something good, but does not achieve the objectives. We therefore always pamper our riders and promote the rider-motorcycle relationship, while the team is only a support for this balance. »
Like what is done in Formula 1, are you working with the Petronas company to develop your engine?
« When it comes to engine development, which is of course Yamaha's job, we have input from Petronas: we check their products and we choose the best ones before providing them with our feedback to develop future products. This is what we do. »
What exactly are they developing for you?
« Umm… Of course, the product is the result of great efforts in terms of its basic functions but also in terms of performance. We have criteria to respect for development and we therefore ask them to respect these criteria, and if sometimes this brings performance, it is welcome. »
Fabio Quartararo no longer uses the engines he used in the two Grands Prix at Jerez. Where are we regarding our engine allocation?
« Regarding engine allocation, I'm sorry but engine usage strategy is a highly confidential subject during the season. So I'm not ready to say anything at the moment. I'm sorry. »
Maverick Viñales said that we should not try to improve the Yamaha's weak points but on the contrary to improve its strong points. Are you OK with that ?
« Of course, between last weekend and this one we can't change the engine power, but as far as Maverick is concerned, he generally cares about rear grip. Every time he is very fast if he feels confident, but if he loses a little (confidence) he cannot drive in the best possible way. So we are now trying to progress so that he maintains his feeling on the bike, whether there is a lot of grip or there is not a lot. If he always feels comfortable, he will be even faster and therefore this is the area where we have to adapt, whatever the situations, conditions or circuits. »
But do you think it is more important to improve the weak points or the strong points of the Yamaha?
« This ties in with my first answer, but regardless we are free to develop the chassis and settings. We are now too far ahead in terms of handling and cornering speed, and we therefore have to make even more effort than before. This is our main issue, but on the other hand we also have to catch up a bit regarding top speed. We must therefore make efforts in both areas. »
You have a test driver who also has knowledge of other brands. Do you plan to do more testing next year?
« Already this season we have tried to take advantage of more testing opportunities in Europe. This was our plan, but unfortunately the current situation did not allow us to travel freely and this was something we absolutely did not expect. So we lost the benefit of having Jorge and he only did one test after Sepang. It's a real shame and, for next year, we will try to find a way to do testing on circuits in Europe. We will continue and strengthen this direction. We are currently considering the composition of the Test Team, so we cannot say anything until we have made our decision. »
Find here the words of Honda with Takeo Yokoyama (HRC Technical Manager), Suzuki with Ken Kawauchi (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Aprilia with Paolo Bonora (Aprilia Racing), Ducati with David Barana (Technical Director of Ducati Corse) and KTM with Sebastian Risse (MotoGP Technical Coordinator Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)…
