After Honda sought out Kalex to work on its MotoGP swingarm, it’s now Yamaha turning to a company more renowned in the automotive realm: in this case, Dallara, in a collaboration focusing on aerodynamics.
The Italian manufacturer already used parts from this partnership at last week’s test in Jerez, presenting a significantly different YZR-M1, seemingly for the better.
This is another step in Yamaha’s significant efforts to return to good results. There have been numerous changes in recent months, including in human resources, with increased investment and a new, more European mindset.
There was also a new chassis at the Jerez test. For now, one of Yamaha’s riders, Álex Rins, said, as quoted by MOW Mag, that he expected more: ‘Perhaps I expected more because of the different look of the bike, even better performance. The aesthetics can be a bit deceiving’.
Nevertheless, the Spaniard has reasons for encouragement, even though he knows the rivals are still far ahead: ‘Comparing with our rival bikes, we struggled when we were at maximum lean. It seems like in fast corners, everyone is far ahead of us. I also did many laps with the new chassis: the idea was to find more speed in the corners, but I didn’t feel the difference I expected. However, alongside the aerodynamics, there were other very positive aspects, like the new electronics, which I think made us take a significant step forward’.