The MotoGP pre-season began with three days of intense testing at the Sepang International Circuit, where riders and teams started working on the development of their bikes for 2025. For Miguel Oliveira, this test marked the beginning of his journey with Prima Pramac Yamaha, focusing on adapting to the YZR-M1 and unlocking its full potential. With a well-structured plan, the Portuguese rider dedicated himself to testing different setups and gaining a better understanding of the bike’s behavior on track, leaving Malaysia with positive feelings and confidence in the ongoing development work.
Throughout the three days, the team worked on various adjustments, from electronics to chassis, aiming to improve traction, stability, and overall response in different conditions. The second day was particularly productive, with a race simulation that helped evaluate the YZR-M1’s performance with worn tires and a full fuel tank.
"Today, we made good progress. We tested some new electronic settings to help me be more consistent and better adapt my riding style to the bike. We are still figuring out the best direction, but I’m feeling more and more comfortable." said Oliveira.
On the third day, the focus was on consolidating the work done so far and trying to find a better balance for the bike. While lap times were not the primary goal, Oliveira managed to improve his best time to 1m57.960s, wrapping up the test satisfied with the progress made.
"This test was very useful. We learned a lot about the bike and gained a clear idea of what we need to improve in the next tests. The key was to understand how to extract the best performance from the Yamaha, and I’m leaving Sepang with good sensations." he stated.
The Portuguese rider also highlighted the importance of data sharing within the Yamaha structure, a factor that has been crucial for the bike’s development.
"Fabio [Quartararo] is doing an excellent job, and being able to share data between us has been very useful. We are still learning how to maximize the bike’s potential, but we have already made important steps." he added.
It is important to remember that pre-season testing is not about setting the fastest lap, but rather about development and progress. The main goal is to test new solutions, better understand the bike, and allow the rider to adapt to changes.
The next challenge will be the official test in Buriram, Thailand, on February 12-13, where Oliveira and his team will continue working on fine-tuning the YZR-M1, focusing on preparations for the start of the championship.
