WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team Concludes Winter Tests on a Positive Note

13-02-2022

WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team Concludes Winter Tests on a Positive Note

Andrea Dovizioso and Darryn Binder made further progress on the final day of testing ahead of the 2022 season.

The sun greeted riders and teams one more time today at the Mandalika Circuit for their third and final day of testing in Indonesia, before everyone is packing and gearing up for the first Grand Prix of 2022 in less than three weeks’ time at the Losail International Circuit, Qatar.

Once again, Andrea Dovizioso managed to step forward aboard his Yamaha YZR-M1. The Italian went 0.413 seconds faster than yesterday. To improve his sensations and learn more about his new machine, he tried several settings and did a long run before midday. In total, the WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team rider did 189 laps at the brand-new venue in Indonesia throughout the three days of official test.

On the other side, Darryn Binder did 173 laps in three days, learning the new layout and further adapting to the MotoGP bike and the premier class in general. He beat his personal best time from Saturday slightly and finished off testing with a long run this afternoon, gathering a lot of data and experience. With the pre-season finished, the MotoGP rookie and the entire WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team are eagerly awaiting the start of the 2022 season now.

Andrea Dovizioso

"Today was a bit better. In terms of lap time, I felt more comfortable and I could do a bit better overall. Regarding my pace for the race I’m not very satisfied, but it was very important to do the long run, where you always realize a lot of things. It was really nice to compare my long run with the one of Fabio (Quartararo) in the same tyres. At the beginning, he was very fast, so it will be incredibly important for me for Qatar to continue to adapt to the bike. Overall, it’s not enough yet, but we improved in these three days and I’m happy about that fact."

Darryn Binder

"It’s been really good. I’m very glad that the weather was stable and we had many great long days to test and try everything. I wish I could have done more laps myself, but in these hot conditions every day you arrive to a point where you have to stop, because otherwise you’re just destroyed the next day. It’s been very good. We’ve made steady progress throughout every day. I wish I made a few more steps forward, but at the end of the day, I have to accept this. It’s a really big step coming from Moto3, so I know it’s going to take a couple more days to find the step I’m looking for. Otherwise, it’s been very good. I’ve learned so much over these days and I feel like I’m a bit more ready to go to Qatar."

Razlan Razali

Founder and Team Principal, WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Racing Team

"It has been great three days of very positive testing at the Mandalika Circuit. Our riders always improved our times, which is important, but the conditions on the track are not ideal, but improved every day. I’m sure come the Indonesian Grand Prix next month, the situation will already be better on the track and elsewhere. Both riders tried different things. Everything was positive, in terms of setup and feeling. Especially for Darryn, who still needs to learn the bike and tried to understand the circuit. Andrea was trying new things, trying to improve himself and got better with the feeling aboard the M1. After two weeks of tests in Sepang and Mandalika, we are ready for the Qatar GP. Of course, we have some more practice sessions before the race in Losail, but the team is ready and the riders are ready as well."

Wilco Zeelenberg

Team Manger, WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Racing Team

"After three eventful days here in Mandalika, I’m quite pleased with the test we have been doing. Of course, we didn’t plan the two crashes of both boys yesterday, but luckily, they were unhurt. This also belongs to the sport. These guys are pushing, trying everything to get the best lap times, the best feelings and sometimes you slide off, especially on tracks like this, where you easily lose the front when you are just a bit apart from the line. But other than that, we have been testing everything and each time, they went out, they have improved and gathered a better feeling on the bike. So, overall, I think we are ready to go to Qatar and to see what the actual situation is for all the boys."