Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Finish First Sepang Test Day on Top
Pictures for editorial use only
Copyright 2025 Yamaha Motor Racing Srl
Following the Sepang Shakedown Test held last weekend, the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team got back into action at the Sepang International Circuit today for the first outing of the three-day Malaysia MotoGP Official Test. Riders Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins completed 54 and 41 laps respectively, ending Day 1 in 1st and 14th place.
Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), 5th February 2025
Today, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP teammates Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins kicked off the three-day Malaysia MotoGP Official Test. The riders had already made a start to preseason testing at the Sepang Shakedown Test at the same venue last weekend, which helped them get straight to work today evaluating options and collecting data. They secured 1st and 14th place respectively in the Day-1 timesheets.
Eager to make a strong start to the 2025 season, Quartararo began the Sepang Test where he left off during the Shakedown. It only took him 20 laps to dip under the 1'58s mark, and two laps later he set a 1'57.754s that held the top spot until the final stages. Resolutely, the Frenchman soldiered on and rode a total of 54 laps over the course of the first day. He set a best time of 1'57.555s on lap 50 to end the day on top by a 0.051s margin.
Rins had made the most of the Shakedown Test and was fully motivated to do the same again today at the Sepang Test. The Spaniard completed 41 laps in total during the eight hours of test time available at the high-temperature and windy Malaysian track. He was able to draw a comparison between components and set a best time of 1'58.652s on lap 26/41. It had him place 14th in the Day-1 rankings, 1.097s from first.
Eager to make a strong start to the 2025 season, Quartararo began the Sepang Test where he left off during the Shakedown. It only took him 20 laps to dip under the 1'58s mark, and two laps later he set a 1'57.754s that held the top spot until the final stages. Resolutely, the Frenchman soldiered on and rode a total of 54 laps over the course of the first day. He set a best time of 1'57.555s on lap 50 to end the day on top by a 0.051s margin.
Rins had made the most of the Shakedown Test and was fully motivated to do the same again today at the Sepang Test. The Spaniard completed 41 laps in total during the eight hours of test time available at the high-temperature and windy Malaysian track. He was able to draw a comparison between components and set a best time of 1'58.652s on lap 26/41. It had him place 14th in the Day-1 rankings, 1.097s from first.
Fabio Quartararo
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider
Álex Rins
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider
The strong wind today changed our plans a bit. In the Shakedown we were able to test many things: some set-ups and new items. Today we were planning to try the new chassis again, which was modified a little bit, but because of this wind we couldn't. We need to be precise trying important items, and that's not easy in these conditions. So, instead we tried the three new front tyres that Michelin brought here for us. I didn't put in a qualifying tyre to do a good lap time because this was not the right moment. Over the next two days we will test the chassis, and let's see what data we get from that.
I think it was good to have ridden here for two days already and then have two days of rest, it was quite useful for us. We didn't really focus on doing a time attack, so being slightly faster today than in qualifying in Sepang last year is positive. I was feeling quite good. We were trying many things and put a new tyre in at the end just to do a good lap time. I think we did a good job!