The Pramac team is urging Yamaha to act swiftly to address the engine performance shortcomings that have plagued Jack Miller and Toprak Razgatlioglu during the Catalunya Sprint race. The team director, Gino Borsoi, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that Yamaha needs to bring immediate improvements to the engine to keep up with the competition.
Miller, despite securing direct Qualifying 2 access and achieving his best qualifying of the year in 11th place, struggled on the long main straight, unable to defend his position. Fabio Quartararo, another Yamaha rider, admitted feeling 'stupid' as he slipped from seventh to 13th place. The team's issues were further highlighted by Alex Rins, Miller, Razgatlioglu, and Yamaha wildcard Augusto Fernandez finishing in the final four positions.
Borsoi acknowledged the positive aspects of the bike's chassis and electronics, but he also stressed the need for Yamaha to address the engine performance gap. He believes that the bike itself is working well, as evidenced by the lap times in qualifying, but the lack of top speed and acceleration in race conditions is a significant concern.
Miller, while recognizing the improvements in the chassis and front feeling of the bike, agreed that the straight-line performance is a major issue. He felt competitive for most of the lap but struggled to execute overtakes due to the performance gap on the straights. Miller remains optimistic about the progress, attributing it to the work being done on the bike.
Razgatlioglu, on the other hand, encountered additional challenges. He admitted to forgetting to activate the launch device at the beginning of the race, which immediately cost him positions. The WorldSBK champion has been struggling with corner entry and braking, especially with the strange grip level and difficult tire management at the Catalunya circuit. Despite these challenges, he is determined to analyze the data and make necessary changes to improve his performance.
The Pramac team's call for Yamaha to bring immediate improvements highlights the competitive landscape of MotoGP. With the season progressing, the team's patience is wearing thin, and they are eager to see Yamaha address the engine performance issues to remain competitive. The team's persistence in pushing for change is a testament to their commitment to success and their desire to see Yamaha reach its full potential.
