P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Yamaha WorldSBK boss Paul Denning says Andrea Locatelli’s current lack of pace is “frustrating”.
Pata Yamaha boss Paul Denning expressed frustration with Andrea Locatelli’s current WorldSBK form, citing his lack of comfort on the Yamaha R1. Locatelli struggled during the Phillip Island test and finished 15th in Australia, trailing his new teammate Xavi Vierge. Denning acknowledged the challenge of finding a good feeling on the bike since the preseason. He believes Locatelli has not lost confidence but needs to find his rhythm in 2026 after disrupted testing due to bad weather. The focus is on helping Locatelli catch up to Vierge’s level and improve for upcoming races. Denning praised Vierge’s positive start with the team, enjoying the Yamaha and showing promising performance in FP2.
