The 2025 MotoGP season is fast approaching. The first tests took place in Malaysia. What happened with the Maralpine riders?
The new bikes for the 2025 season took to the Sepang track for three days of testing. They serve to prepare the riders as well as to make the last few improvements before the season. The tests were marked by the absence of the reigning champion Jorge Martin, who crashed on the first day and was injured. While for Fabio Quartararo, the return is rather positive, for Johann Zarco, it seems more complicated.
Top 3 and Progress
We might have thought we were in a dream since it hadn’t happened in two years, but Fabio Quartararo finished the first day with the fastest time. With 54 test laps under his belt, he set his best time at 1’57.555. Yamaha notably worked a lot on electronics and on things they usually test in shakedown (the first run after the winter break, in which only certain riders and teams participate, Editor’s note). The Nice native was satisfied with this first day: “It was a good day, even more so for the engineers who know which direction we need to go in.”
As always with Fabio Quartararo, a good news never comes without a bad one. While the second day was supposed to be dedicated to testing new things, a problem with his bike appeared and it stopped on its own. Fortunately, this incident didn’t significantly affect his day since he managed to complete 47 laps. Michelin tire tests were also conducted. He finished with the second fastest time of the session. The Nice native remains positive, while being aware of the problems with his bike: “We’re trying to work on grip, in an attempt to find solutions, since it’s what we lacked last year. It’s not easy because we’ve been trying for years. But yes, I think we’re heading in the right direction.”
Finally, on the third day, the rain was added. But it didn’t manage to disturb the Yamaha rider who was the only one to improve his laps in these conditions. With 58 laps completed, he managed to break the 1’57 barrier, clocking in at 1’56.724. He has more pace on his bike, which allows him to perform better in the fast lap. He concluded these tests in third position and is happy with this result: “There are still things to improve, but I think today was really positive.” Yamaha reportedly gained eight tenths compared to last year.
Some riders from competing teams also noticed Yamaha’s leap forward, such as Francesco Bagnaia. He states that Yamaha will be the second-fastest team, behind Ducati, this season.
Another Complicated Season?
The tests were more mixed for Johann Zarco. LCR Honda communicated very little about the statistics of these tests, so it is more difficult to make an assessment. There is an improvement compared to last year, particularly on the back of the bike which has more grip. On the other hand, there is still that issue with cornering, even though it’s a bit better than the previous season. The rider from Cannes finished ninth on the first day, twelfth on the second, and seventh on the third.
These results are still positive for Johann Zarco, especially on the third day: “Today’s performance was really good. It’s great for my confidence to narrow the gap with the top riders. Over the last few days, we have tried a lot of things. Today, we put them all together, and it worked well. I’m really happy with it. These small adjustments made the difference, I feel like I can now control the bike better.” The Honda team is also gradually changing its mentality by working more closely with Europe. The goal is clear for the team and for Johann Zarco: to fight in the top 10.
All these results for the two Maralpine riders are not necessarily indicative of the season, as each team has its own program. New tests will be held in Thailand at the Chang International Circuit, from February 12 to 13.
