'In Superbikes if you stand still you get left behind' - Rea discusses his tricky first year with Yamaha
11/11/2024 06:31 AM
After switching to Yamaha Jonathan Rea had a difficult 2024 season, but is hoping to improve in 2025.
Jonathan Rea left Kawasaki at the end of 2023 to join Yamaha in 2024. However, his first year in blue did not go as well as anybody expected.
The six-time World Champion ended up having his worst season in World Superbikes as he finished 13th in the Championship.
"It was difficult and a big challenge," Rea said when discussing the 2024 season. "I always knew moving manufacturers was going to be a challenge but I did not find my feet as fast as I expected. We had some glimpses at our full potential, but it is now a case of understanding the positives and the negatives with the team. We are trying to put everything together this offseason.
"Yamaha is working really hard in the background to continue developing the Yamaha R1. I am looking forward to going to the next test and understanding our level, and introducing the new parts before Phillip Island in 2025."
Rea went on to comment on what Yamaha is looking at for the 2025 World Superbike season. However, the Northern Irishman also stated that he needs to work on himself as well to improve his feeling with the R1.
"We are working all over the bike," Rea stated. "We are working with the engine, electronics, and chassis, like everyone it is constant development. It seems in Superbike now if you stand still you get left behind and now is a good chance for us to move forward. We need to work on my feeling to push at the limit because Superbikes is stacked and it is so competitive.
"At Estoril or Jerez I was on the fifth row but I was two-tenths away from the second row. If you lose one or two tenths now it can really put you further down the list. I am trying to work on things on my side so I can push at the limit."
Finally, looking ahead to the start of the 2025 season in February Rea commented that he believes he will improve next year.
"For sure a step better," Rea said. "It is never a learning year but I had to understand the bike. Now is the critical time for the team and Yamaha to work because they have a lot of data and comments from this year. Hopefully, I can make the bike more my own and we can increase the performance to fight with everyone else."
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