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MOTOGP I 2026 MOTOGP PREVIEW
days after cracking a finger),
reliability (all its bikes sat out day
two in Malaysia due to engine
concerns) and a serious lack of
pace. Pramac's Jack Miller was
some 1.4 seconds slower than
the fastest Ducatis per lap during
a longer run.
But it was always going to be
this way. At the close of 2025,
the V4 was essentially a new
engine in the old bike during
Test Rider Augusto Fernandez's
wildcard appearances. After a
winter of work, a raft of updates
was brought for the Sepang
test, including "chassis, swing
-
arm, fairing, engine and other"
changes, according to
Technical
Director Max Bartolini.
At the Sepang test its riders
tion by signing Fabio Quartararo
for 2027. And its top brass envi-
sions a promising year ahead.
"The
target is to win as soon as
possible, clearly," said Alberto
Puig. For the first time since
Marquez's exit, it's not an entirely
unrealistic aim.
Yamaha
The prognosis isn't positive
for Yamaha on the eve of the
season. Tough days lie ahead as
it kicks off a new era with its V4
YZR-M1 replacing the inline-four
engine design that won the Iwata
factory eight Riders' Champion
-
ships in the four-stroke era.
Sepang
was nothing short of
disastrous as it battled injury
(Fabio Quartararo missed two
ine aspirations to win races this
year. Test Rider Aleix Espargaro
claimed the new RC213V is "the
best MotoGP bike I've ever rid-
den." Factory riders Joan Mir and
Luca
Marini agree. "It is every
little detail improving, and the
bike is improving in many parts
of the riding," said Marini. "I think
the Japanese did a fantastic job
this winter, and they improved the
top speed of the bike, the entry
phase, and the turning."
Still, a lack of rear grip during
acceleration has not improved
sufficiently. "This must be our
focus now," said Mir. And both
factory names were a little down
when they compared their longer
runs to Ducati on the final day.
Yet Honda has shown its ambi
-
Johann Zarco returns
for another crack
on the Castrol LCR
Honda and will be
aiming to at least
repeat his French GP
win, if not add a few
more in 2026.
