Alex Rins concluded the Sepang MotoGP test in the 15th position on the timesheets aboard his new Monster Yamaha, trailing Francesco Bagnaia’s circuit record by 1.2 seconds and teammate Fabio Quartararo by 0.354 seconds.
Despite confidence in the new M1 engine’s power, Rins found himself only 22nd in the top speed rankings, raising eyebrows given the team’s belief in the engine’s capabilities.
While Quartararo showcased impressive speed, topping the charts on day two, Rins lagged behind, prompting scrutiny into the disparity between their top speeds.
Upon closer inspection, Rins attributed the discrepancy to braking issues, which affected his ability to reach optimal top speeds. He clarified that while his official top speed appeared lacking, in reality, he was achieving similar maximum velocities to Quartararo.
Alex Rins explained, “I was struggling a little bit to stop the bike. The rear tyre was up in the air! So we are losing a little bit of time in that area.”
Further analysis revealed that the placement of the speed sensor at the braking point skewed the data. Quartararo’s ability to brake later than Rins resulted in the apparent speed difference.
The Sepang speed chart not only reflects engine power but also braking capabilities, as demonstrated by riders like Marc Marquez and rookie Pedro Acosta, who exhibited strong braking performances.
Despite challenges in taming the new M1’s power delivery, akin to Quartararo’s endeavors, Rins expressed relative satisfaction with the progress made. He acknowledged the need for improvement in certain areas but remained optimistic about the team’s trajectory.
Reflecting on his physical condition following last year’s leg fractures, Rins noted minor discomfort initially but felt increasingly comfortable on the bike as the test progressed.
Looking ahead, Rins anticipates the final pre-season test in Qatar before his Yamaha race debut, aiming to further refine his performance.
In essence, Rins’ Sepang test performance underscores the nuanced interplay between braking efficiency and top speed, highlighting areas for development as he adapts to his new Yamaha machine.
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