'We've got some developments coming' - Paul Denning discusses Yamaha's testing schedule
Today at 03:05 AM
Yamaha has new developments on the way for their World Superbike project.
The World Superbike paddock is testing for the first time in 2025, nearly all of the riders from the series have been out on track at Jerez.
Yamaha has all of their six World Superbike riders on track and after a difficult 2024 season, the 2025 Championship will be a crucial year for the Japanese manufacturer.
The Pata Yamaha squad had already been in Jerez testing back in November, at the test at the end of 2024 Yamaha had introduced some new parts, such as a new swingarm. However, they also changed the personnel in Jonathan Rea's garage as he had a new crew chief.
"The first thing on Jonathan's side is we changed the team around," Pata Yamaha Team Principal, Paul Denning told WorldSBK.com when discussing Yamaha's last test.
"With the new crew chief, which is always a risk because we had an extremely experienced and very capable guy in that position, but changing the dynamic is sometimes something that an athlete needs, and Jonathan felt he needed that.
"I have to say that it worked, from the evidence of those two days, really well. That was a big positive that we'll obviously keep expanding forwards on. Technically, there was some stuff that 'JR' actually felt made a positive difference to performance which, maybe, during the year we introduced a lot of stuff and it felt different but not necessarily better.
"We're able to take some steps forward which gave him confidence and he rode really well. There was some great stuff on JR's side.
"On Locatelli's side, he tested a new development swingarm that, again, was fortunate in that it gave a proper step forward in grip and performance. That's been introduced for the new season. It was just a good basis in which to start the development path for the 2025 season."
Denning went on to discuss what new developments Yamaha will have for the 2025 World Superbike Championship.
"Electronics, we tested some stuff that was quite encouraging and had some good potential for the future," Denning explained.
"The engine was the '24 motor at that point. Outright acceleration and performance is clearly an area, not so much for lap time but as a racing machine, that we need to improve on to make the riders' life just a little bit easier.
"We've got some developments coming, hopefully in time for the Portimao test next week, at least as a shakedown. The work's been fairly relentless and the investments in time, effort and, of course, money are significant to take a step forward and fingers crossed we're going to be able to deliver that difference in performance very shortly."
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