In 2020, at Yamaha, two pitfalls were often pointed out by riders equipped with the M1: a depressing top speed and a problem with grip that the new Michelin rear tire did not help. There is therefore an engine problem and a chassis problem, all covered by the electronics. Three areas on which it is therefore necessary to work. But chief engineer Ramon Forcada also reminds us that there is another essential element that can solve many problems: the driver.
Ramón Forcada is one of the people at Yamaha who are not complaining about how the 2020 season went MotoGP. And for good reason, with a Franco Morbidelli triple winner and finally vice-world champion, he cleared his honor, which had been flouted for a Maverick Vinales who no longer wanted him at his side in the official box. Forked is no longer far from having rediscovered an aura acquired during the time of Por Fuera Jorge Lorenzo whom he accompanied in his only three MotoGP titles, with the Iwata firm.
Therefore, Franco Morbidelli never forgot to emphasize the role of his team leader Ramon Forcada. After three victories during the 2020 MotoGP season, the rider Petronas does not ask for a review of his Yamaha M1, even though he has established himself as the brand's best rider. Staying with an “A-Spec” while the other three colleagues will have ultimate versions of the bike does not bother him. After all, little or nothing has changed since 2019 on a technical level.
However, side Morbidely, it is not a change that we have observed, but rather a metamorphosis. Indeed, after having suffered the domination of Fabio Quartararo, the Italian-Brazilian reversed course. “ We have not made any radical changes during the year " Explain Ramón Forcada in remarks to Radio Ocotillo relayed by Motoracing. " For me, the big difference between this year and the past was the mentality of the driver ».
To Forked, the difficulties encountered in 2019 by its driver are partly explained by his experience gained on a Honda. Franco Morbidelli, in 2018, drove an RC213V very different from the M1. Conversely, fabio quartararo debuted directly on a more agile bike and had no trouble adapting. “ Fabio was empty, virgin, he started with Yamaha without the vices of another MotoGP. He did really well, an incredible year. “Franky” was clouded by Fabio’s results ". We know the rest: the VR46 Academy student questioned himself and brought out his true talent. So much so that he has established himself as the best Yamaha MotoGP rider of the 2020 season.
“It’s not the Yamaha, these problems happen on all motorcycles”
For some time now his colleagues have been complaining about adhesion problems, but Forked Don't point your finger at the bike. “ This doesn't just happen with the M1, it happens with all motorcycles when there is no grip. The priorities change a little, the driver starts to be more important, because the electronics as you have adjusted it or for the capacity it has is not able to solve the problem or the variations in grip ».
Forked adds: " the pilot must therefore start to manage, play with his hand, which he is not very used to lately ". It is obvious that technical personnel are also important in certain situations. “ You need to do a different configuration. When the grip is low it has to change a little, the bike feels different in dry to wet changes. And you have to adapt the bike to the rider ". But the latter still has the last word on the track.
