Yamaha to test F1-style rear wing in Portimao ahead of the 2023 MotoGP Season

F1 serves as an inspiration to the MotoGP team, Yamaha.

<strong>Yamaha to test F1-style rear wing in Portimao ahead of the 2023 MotoGP Season</strong>

Yamaha. Image via Yamaha Racing.

Technical innovations are not new in MotoGP. At the British Grand Prix last season, the Italian manufacturer Ducati took the paddock by surprise. They introduced a “Stegosaurus” rear wing, four winglets were attached to the rear end of the bike, two on either side. However, this idea of placing a wing at the back of the seat was initiated by Aprilia, earlier in the season, but the idea was put on ice. Yamaha tried the concept last November in Valencia, they tested the rear wings, but the idea was rejected by the 2021 MotoGP world champion, Fabio Quartararo.

During last month’s Sepang test, the teams tested the rear aero package on their bikes. Yamaha was the only team that did not have this package. The last 2023 pre-season test concludes on 11th-12th March in Portimao. Yamaha has brought new updates, a “Stegosaurus” design, similar to Ducati, and a unique Formula 1 style concept.  

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Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha’s team director, told Motorsport.com, “We have two designs ready to test, but at the moment we haven’t had the chance and we will see if during these two days of testing at Portimao we can do it”. Yamaha has big plans with the Formula 1 style wing. The aim was to bring something unique and improve their performance. 

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Yamaha is more concerned about the central body of the fairing

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Yamaha. (Image via Motorsport.com)

“We have two parts here to test, but we only have two days of testing, so I don’t know if we’re going to have time. That wing is not part of the package to be homologated, so we can leave it for later”, stated Meregalli. Yamaha’s biggest concern is its aerodynamic solution. The team has not finalized the front concept yet. It has to be approved before the first race of the season. And the clock is ticking.

The two days of testing at Portimao are crucial for Yamaha.  The team has to make an important decision regarding the central body of the fairing. It can be changed only once during the season, and it must be homologated. Meregalli stated that the riders postponed the decision until Portimao. Over the winter, much work was done in the factory. The team tested plenty of parts. Now, they must decide by the end of the Portimao test to be able to homologate it. 

Besides the aerodynamic part, Yamaha is worried about M1’s single-lap performance. Fabio Quartararo called it a nightmare at the Sepang test. Yamaha has a lot of work to do over the two-day test. Both Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli should be able to ride and do long run according to the Yamaha team director. The team aims to run all the tests necessary ahead of the 2023 MotoGP season.

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