Alex Rins says his 2024 season with Yamaha marked solid progress, but insists that his next steps on the M1 bike cannot come from copying teammate Fabio Quartararo’s set-up.
The six-time Grand Prix winner made the switch from Honda to Yamaha ahead of the 2024 season, having also raced for Suzuki in 2022. Although his debut year with Yamaha was marred by injuries, Rins showed improvement towards the end of the season, securing his best finish of eighth place at the Malaysian Grand Prix.
Reflecting on his first season aboard the M1, Rins noted that being paired with 2021 MotoGP World Champion Quartararo has been mutually beneficial. However, Rins acknowledged that while he has received good support from Yamaha, his future improvements cannot come from simply mimicking Quartararo’s settings.
“When I try to use Fabio’s set-up, I’m not fast,” Rins explained. “We have two very different riding styles. Fabio has been with Yamaha since 2019, so the bike is really suited to him. For me, I need to develop my own set-up.”
Rins emphasized that both riders push each other to improve, with each striving to outpace the other. “When I’m faster than him, he tries to go faster to beat me, and vice versa. It’s a good dynamic for us both,” Rins added.
Despite the challenges of adjusting to a new bike, Rins is pleased with his overall progression. “Yamaha has listened to my input, and we’re working together well,” he said. “I was able to improve the bike and bring my experience to the table.”
The season, however, wasn’t without its struggles, particularly after Rins suffered an injury at the Assen Grand Prix, which set back his confidence and recovery. Yet, he remains positive about the overall outcome.
“Looking back, it was always a special season,” Rins continued. “There were ups and downs, but I’m happy with the progress I made, and I’m confident that Yamaha is too.”
As Rins moves forward, he remains committed to refining his own approach with the Yamaha bike, taking time to fully adapt and develop a set-up that aligns with his riding style, rather than following in Quartararo’s footsteps.
