The Pramac team is urging Yamaha to act swiftly to address the engine performance shortcomings that have plagued Jack Miller and Toprak Razgatlioglu during the Catalunya Sprint race. With Yamaha's V4 engine lacking top speed and acceleration, Miller and Razgatlioglu found themselves at a disadvantage, unable to defend their positions on the long main straight.
In a recent interview, Miller expressed his frustration, highlighting the Yamaha's struggle on the straights, which hindered his ability to execute overtakes. Despite showing competitive pace during most of the lap, the straight-line performance deficit proved costly, leaving him with a result that didn't reflect his true potential. Miller remains optimistic, recognizing the progress made in chassis and front-end feel, while also acknowledging the ongoing challenges with straight-line speed.
Razgatlioglu, on the other hand, encountered additional hurdles. He admitted to forgetting to activate the launch device at the start of the race, which immediately set him back. The WorldSBK champion has been grappling with corner entry and braking issues, exacerbated by the peculiar grip levels and difficult tyre management at the circuit. Despite these setbacks, Razgatlioglu remains determined, drawing motivation from his improved performance on Friday and expressing confidence in his ability to make further strides.
The Pramac team director, Gino Borsoi, acknowledges the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the need for Yamaha to enhance engine performance. He highlights the positive aspects of the chassis and electronics, which are progressing in the right direction, providing a glimmer of hope for the team's future prospects. However, the immediate focus remains on addressing the engine's shortcomings to enable the riders to compete more effectively.
This situation underscores the challenges faced by Yamaha in the pursuit of engine dominance, as they strive to bridge the performance gap with other manufacturers. The team's patience and continued development efforts are crucial in navigating this phase, with the ultimate goal of achieving a competitive edge in the upcoming races.