It’s hard to be optimistic for Yamaha after the recent MotoGP rounds, but a decent performance at Sepang in pre-season means we can expect a decent result at the final Asian round in 2025.
MotoGP arrived in Sepang a week after a closely contested Australian Grand Prix for Yamaha, with Alex Rins finishing in the top ten, while Fabio Quartararo finished 12th after starting from pole position.
However, Iwata has been strong at Sepang so far, finishing in the top six last year along with Fabio Quartararo. Furthermore, in this year’s pre-season testing, Yamaha was able to demonstrate such strong pace that Francesco Bagnaia suggested they could be Ducati’s strongest challenger in 2025.
Although it wasn’t completely planned that way, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team Director Massimo Meregalli is hoping this weekend (October 24-26) he can rediscover his form from Sepang earlier this year.
“Last round didn’t go the way we expected,” Meregalli said, looking back at Phillip Island.
“Fabio (Quartararo) took pole position again and set a new lap time record, but we have to learn from what happened during the sprint and the race and do better this time.
“Alex (Rins), on the other hand, had a good race and is gaining confidence.
“Historically, Sepang is usually a good track for us. Fabio and Alex also had decent results here last year.
“Additionally, a good winter test here in the offseason earlier this year created high expectations, so we hope to continue that trend this weekend.”
But Quartararo was keen to point out that the situation on the M1 had changed since February.
“Now we’re in Sepang for the last flyaway round. Let’s see what we can do,” he said.
“We did some testing here earlier this year and the bike has changed a lot since then.
“We hope to get a good result and finish this overseas tour on a good note. Of course, the Malaysian fans will be rooting for us, which is always really nice.”
Alex Rins’ positive race in Australia came after opting for a soft-compound alternative tire on the rear in Indonesia, which left him in contention for a podium place at Mandalika.
It has been a decent run for the Spaniard and he hopes to continue his form in Malaysia before returning to Europe in November.
“The race at Phillip Island was great,” Rins said.
“Finishing seventh is a great result, so I’m looking forward to what we can do at Sepang.
“We are making good progress and that is the most important thing. We will maintain this setup this weekend.”
“Let’s get some near dry track time if possible, get some solid data, and see what’s possible.”