P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The evidence is growing that Yamaha is finally making real progress in its MotoGP recovery. But there are still reasons for scepticism about that too
In the 2024 MotoGP season, the Malaysian Grand Prix was a standout moment for Yamaha, as two Yamaha M1s finished in the top 10 for the first time. Fabio Quartararo showed podium-worthy pace throughout the weekend, a first for the season. Alex Rins also demonstrated competitive performance, surpassing the previous points-paying positions. Despite the progress, both riders expressed satisfaction rather than elation, acknowledging the incomplete nature of Yamaha’s significant improvement. The introduction of a new engine spec at Sepang did not have a substantial impact on the weekend results, with both Quartararo and Rins attributing gains to a philosophy change in their electronics setup. While improvements have been made, Quartararo emphasized the need for continuous small advancements in various areas to further enhance Yamaha’s competitiveness in MotoGP.