Last test before the start of the 2025 season for MotoGP. This time, Thailand, also the first Grand Prix of the season, hosted the tests. What happened for the riders from the Maralpine region?
These last two days of testing at the Buriram International Circuit have well-prepared the teams for the first Grand Prix of the season. While not much has changed for LCR Honda and Johann Zarco, Yamaha and Fabio Quartararo faced more challenges.
Improvements and Disappointment
The first day went rather well for Johann Zarco. While he tested many things in Malaysia, this test in Thailand serves to find the right setup for the upcoming race. He finished in seventh place but already highlighted the negative points: “We are better at using the strengths when we have new tires. But it’s not always easy. We did a sprint race distance, and that’s much more problematic. It bothers me because it prevents me from being competitive.”
On the last day, the bike lacked consistency on the track. It performs very well on a fast lap, but the same issue with the race simulations as the day before appeared. “I didn’t manage to improve as I would have liked, so I’m a bit disappointed. But it’s not too serious; we’ll put the energy into the times for the race weekend. […] We can still aim for the top 10, that’s important,” declared the Cannes native to Canal+. He finished in sixteenth place.
No Goal for 2025
Compared to Malaysia, Yamaha faced more difficulties during these two days. With a track that has much less grip, issues with the front tire emerged. Fabio Quartararo completed 78 laps on the first day. He remains just as pragmatic about his bike’s performance: “None of the tires pleased us today. I think it’s one of the first times I couldn’t find a compromise with both tires. We see we are back in our position from last year, which is why I preferred not to get too excited over the Sepang tests.” He finished the day in thirteenth place.
There was some improvement on the second day. With 73 laps under his belt, he finished eighth. However, there are still electronic difficulties with the bike. The Nice native nonetheless acknowledges the importance Pramac Yamaha can have on his own season: “It’s important to have four bikes on the track, four 2025 bikes, especially to have data. Also, in terms of riding, if a rider goes faster in a turn than I do and vice-versa. I think that’s how we’re really going to manage to all get the best time, the best possible positions…” He prefers not to set any classification goals for this season but is convinced that performances will only improve as the season progresses.
