Jorge Lorenzo not convinced by new Yamaha motor

Jorge Lorenzo remains unconvinced about the performance potential of a new Yamaha YZR-M1 motor, despite topping the timesheets at the end of a one-day MotoGP test session at the Motorland Aragon track yesterday (Wednesday).

The Spaniard got his first chance to assess the new motor during a test at the Catalunya track last Monday.

He reported only minimal gains in Barcelona and having tested the engine again at the Motorland Aragon track, his opinion hadn’t changed.

Lorenzo, who has won three out of the opening five races to open up a 20-point lead over Casey Stoner in the title hunt, told MCN: “We tried the new engine as in Montmelo and for the moment it doesn’t change so much.

“Now Yamaha is checking where we gain and lose to take a decision but unfortunately we didn’t find any big improvement. It is a very small difference in lap time and performance.”

The Motorland Aragon test certainly wasn’t a wasted exercise and Lorenzo added: “It was important to come here and see how this track is with the 1000. In the morning it was hard to find the best setting, so we saved a lot of time for when we return for the Grand Prix.”

Lorenzo’s factory Yamaha team boss Wilco Zeelenberg said the new engine had performed marginally better than in Barcelona with slightly improved acceleration.

Lorenzo said Yamaha’s technical staff were still analysing data collected but it was Zeelenberg’s belief that the new engine will be used at the earliest opportunity.

He told MCN: “Aragon is one of the tracks we have struggled on so it was important to come here and see how the 1000 performed. We are already faster than we were here last year and the bike feels much more balanced.

“If it slides it stays constant but last year we would lose the line. We checked the new engine spec and it didn’t seem to be a big benefit in Barcelona but here it seemed a bit better. We had a bit more acceleration.

“It wasn’t spectacular but better is better and when we choose the next engine from our allocation I suspect we will use this new one, but it is not decided yet.”

Lorenzo also worked on revised electronics like team-mate Ben Spies but he wasn’t testing a new triple clamp that the Texan did.

Zeelenberg added: “Jorge tried this already in the winter in Sepang and he didn’t really feel a big change. Ben has a different riding style and he brakes a lot later than Jorge so the forces are different on corner entry and he liked it.

“Maybe we will have to look at that again in the future but right now it is not on our priority list.”