Jack Miller and Andrea Rocatelli each took part in the first pre-event test of the 2025 Suzuka 8 Hours of the Year, July 3rd and 4th this week.
For Miller and Locatelli, the two-day test was the first taste of the endurance specification Yamaha R1.
Miller was back at the Suzuka Track for the first time since racing as a Honda Motog Prider in 2017. The Australians were pleased with their first impression of the bike.
“I’m glad I came back here at Suzuki, especially at R1. It’s so much fun,” Jack Miller said at the end of the two-day test.
“My long run with Roca (Andrea Rocatelli) went well today. I think we did a good job together. The pace is good, the speed is fine. I think we’ll find a little extra margin on the race weekend when we need it.
Miller added that he is still building comfort with the Suzuka truck.
“I’m getting more and more comfortable at Suzuka Circuit,” he said.
“It’s a long way and there are many areas where you can make mistakes. Trying to put together a perfect rap is very difficult, so today was to get used to your mark and prepare for Suzuka 8 hours.”
Locatelli: “Feeling with the confidence we have”
Andrea Rocatelli also showed positive signs after two days of testing, feeling confident and satisfied with her durable R1.
“We did a lot of work today. We’re really happy with the confidence we’re on the bike,” he said.
“Overall, it was much better than the first day, but that’s normal. On the first day, I had to know about the bikes, the trucks, the millions around this bike.
“It was the second day.
“I’m looking forward to racing weekends. We’ll continue to improve there, have more time to get more feelings on bikes and gain more experience with Bride-quality tires. And I think we can really enjoy racing.”
Locatelli added that he and Yamaha are still unsure where they stack up against other manufacturers and teams.
“Today I was on track with Jack (Miller), so I rode it alone too,” he said.
“When we have other competitors, we don’t know exactly where we are still standing. We need to check it out on the race weekend, but the team said today’s lap times aren’t that bad.
“They were definitely consistent, and that’s the main thing about endurance racing.
“This is the first time we’ve done an incredible job here in Suzuka, and I’m pretty pleased that I did the job too.
“Of course I look forward to going back and continuing the WorldSBK Championship, but I can’t wait to come back here again at Real Suzuki 8 Hours Race Weekend.”
Nakasuga has been “reliable” by accepting the base setup.
The Yamaha veteran and four-time Suzuka 8-hour winner, Nakanaka Nukanuki, tested the R1 in the official test a few days before the private test that Locatelli and Miller rode.
The Japanese rider said he was “reliable” to confirm that the basic setup he, and the mineral Soichiro developed was highly praised by European-based riders.
“I think Jack (Miller) and Roca (Andrea Locateri) held the bike in the two-day test here,” he said.
“It was comforting to see that the base setup we put together in our June tests was working well, and since this is an endurance race, there are a few things that we all had to adapt to, as we all had to adapt because we have to share the same bike.
“But I think they both understood this well and improved their performance with every go out. We couldn’t ride it today, but together we checked our tire choices.
“Overall, I think it was a very good test, but that’s different because on the actual race weekend, the conditions on the track are different and the traffic is on track.
“I am sure I can get even better performance when I get back on the race weekend, but I would like to do that in a gentle way.
“I think we can compete with our rivals, even at the current level. But if we can improve our communication a little bit, we can definitely aim for the top step on the podium.”