Dovizioso and Binder Progressing on Final Day in Malaysia

06-02-2022

Dovizioso and Binder Progressing on Final Day in Malaysia

Dovizioso and Binder progressing on final day in Malaysia.

WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP TEam concludes the first test of the year with noticeable improvements of lap times.

Sunday saw the MotoGP field hitting the Sepang International Circuit for a second and final official test day. While Conditions proved to be ideal once again in the first hours, rain interrupted proceedings after lunchtime. Yet, both WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team riders managed to step forward already in the morning.

Following a first day full of work, Andrea Dovizioso aimed to find clearer directions aboard his 2022 Yamaha YZR-M1 today. The Italian set his fastest time on lap 12 already and went more than one second quicker compared to day one. Due to the weather conditions, he was unable to chase faster lap times in the afternoon, but still went out and did a total of 115 laps throughout the two days of action.

At the same time, Darryn Binder advanced significantly. The premier class rookie broke the 2-minutes mark already on his first run and was 0.961 seconds quicker than on day one of the official test. Compared to his first day on track this Monday, he even went over two seconds faster and did 55 further laps today. This afternoon, the South African even used the conditions to go out in the wet for the very first time.

The Withu Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team is now ready to pack and fly over to Indonesia, where the entire paddock is excited to get to know the Mandalika Circuit, which is a new addition to the MotoGP World Championship calendar in 2022.

Andrea Dovizioso

"We made some progress for sure, but I can't be happy about where we're at because there are still too many things I don't have under control. The way I ride the bike is not good enough. I can be faster for sure because this morning I wasn't able to use the potential of the soft tyre. Apart form that, I'm still not feeling that good. These two days have been very difficult but like always in Malaysia, I think it is the best track to test some high turns but the condition is over the limit, the grip changes and you don't have enough tyres to compare. Anyway, I'm very happy to go on a different new track and I will continue my work with the team to do better."

Darryn Binder

"Yesterday we worked really hard but didn't get the results we wanted. Today, we came back fresh and used everything we worked on yesterday and put it straight into play immediately. After that I was looking forward to just working throughout the day, trying to perfect everything, learn and keep trying, but unfortunately it started to rain. But being a rookie that was great as it gave me a chance to go out on the wet with the bike. In my eyes, it's been a positive two days."

Razlan Razali

Founder and Team Principal, WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Racing Team

"In general the last two days has been a positive test for both our riders, both have improved in terms of time. It is still early days and we wait and see for the final test in Mandalika and finally in Qatar. But overall, we are very happy with the first test. We must congratulate Sepang International Circuit (SIC) for being able to allow the MotoGP paddock to come and test here this weekend."

Wilco Zeelenberg

Team Manger, WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Racing Team

"It has been a very good test, we learned a lot. Of course we are not in the spot and place we want to be, but we have to respect the level of the group. Darryn for sure improved today and again did a step, which was our aim every day to be better and we have been doing that. Today he learned a lot in the rain with the soft and medium rain tyres, going out on half intermediate track conditions that will help in the season when he's on the grid and it starts to rain. For Andrea, we have been trying to improve the bike, especially on rear grip and traction and we reached a limit, where we need to make more steps in that area. Over the two days, we made a lot of laps and gained a lot of information and now we're ready to go to Mandalika."