It is an established fact: At Yamaha, we have lost our supremacy for a little over two seasons. A missed step in the development of the MotoGP project while the competition accelerated. But the tuning fork firm has reorganized itself and swears that it is now ready to get back on its feet. Massimo Meregalli, head of the Monster Yamaha team, confirms this and even provides elements to convince us that these are not just simple incantations...
First there was the mobilization of the electronics specialist who was responsible for the Superbike program, followed by the establishment of a European structure to carry out tests. With Jonas Folger as a test pilot. But these initiatives were then diluted over time to such an extent that it is difficult to really assess their contribution.
But things are still moving and it's the team manager Meregalli who reminds us: “ the direction that has been taken is the right one » said the Italian, who then added: “ to improve consistency over the distance of a race, we had to abandon engine power. This is what we pay the most for now, especially on the faster tracks. But we still have a lot of work to do ».
« Now we are really focused on improving acceleration because we want to minimize the difference in top speed. We will continue to work, as we did last year, even if we could not prove it. We work, we work, again, we still work! But something has changed in Japan ". And to convince us, he recalls: “ The fact that we are testing the new bike in Brno and Misano is a good sign. Both riders will already start testing and evaluate the basis of next year's bike ».
The opportunity to work testing in Brno with a view to 2020 is a custom that all teams honor after the Czech Grand Prix to work on the following year's machines. A sort of tradition that Yamaha has not respected over the last two years…
It will be recalled that the first half of the season was a two-episode soap opera for Yamaha. Valentino Rossi won two podiums but fell three times, while Maverick Vinales has three podiums, including a victory, but he also fell three times.
