Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP are Back in Action

06-03-2021

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP are Back in Action

After months of eager anticipation, the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team got in their first kilometres after the winter break. Maverick Viñales and Fabio Quartararo aim to use the Qatar MotoGP Official Test to get a first impression of the 2021 YZR-M1. They completed the first day in 9th and 15th place respectively.

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team‘s Maverick Viñales and Fabio Quartararo were thrilled to step aboard their YZR-M1s on the first official MotoGP testing day of 2021. Despite the windy conditions at the Losail International Circuit, the riders got straight to work. They ended Day 1 in 9th and 15th place respectively.

Viñales' plan for Qatar Test Day 1 was to fully focus on his rhythm. Getting a first feel for the 2021 YZR-M1, the Spaniard ran a total of 51 laps. His 1‘55.259s fastest time, set on lap 33, earned him ninth place in the overall results, 0.572s from first.

Quartararo had been counting the days to his Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP debut. He had a positive first day in his new office. He rode 69 laps over the course of the seven-hour testing session, and he set a best lap of 1‘55.707s on lap 35, to take 15th place, 1.020s from the top.

Tomorrow the riders will be back at the Losail track for further testing, from 14:00 – 21:00 (GMT+3).

Maverick Viñales

"It's good to be back on track and riding the bike. Today I focused on getting into the rhythm, we didn't try anything specific. So far, the feeling is positive, but it's still very early in the testing process. We will keep working. In the upcoming days we will be riding many more laps to try to be faster."

Fabio Quartararo

"It was a positive day. Honestly, I needed a bit of time to get used to riding a MotoGP bike after the long winter break. Still, I was happy to be riding again. I can't wait for tomorrow, because it will keep getting better and better. I'm looking forward to getting in more laps, getting faster, and also doing a time attack tomorrow - that's the main plan."

Massimo Meregalli

Team Director

"After months of no riding, the team is thrilled to be back in action. Especially, Maverick and Fabio are both happy to be on the bike again. However, we immediately had to put our heads down and get to work. Today was our first testing opportunity of the 2021 season, and Yamaha has come prepared: we have a lot of new items to try in this Qatar Test. We also have three test riders on track, besides Maverick and Fabio, to help us collect as much data as possible as we prepare for the start of the 2021 MotoGP season in three weeks‘ time."