Cal Crutchlow admitted that the 2023 YZR-M1 is still too aggressive at the moment and still needs the necessary adjustments to get a winning streak next season to be machine.
Crutchlow was able to discover important information and learn the pros and cons of the current YZR-M1, which needs several progress for next season, during the 2022 season, which he started with six races.
“I think Yamaha should go back to the bike from a few seasons ago and don’t be too aggressive. The path they have now taken is not Yamaha’s philosophy.” Crutchlow said.
“We need to make the engine smoother and quieter for next year, only in this way can it improve. They are currently trying to make it faster on the straights, but that makes it more difficult to drive.” he added.
More power, and hence, among other things, a higher top speed, could mean that Yamaha loses its specific character and becomes less stable in the corners, which Crutchlow believes will be problematic.
It is clear that there is a lot of work to be done for the Japanese Yamaha engineers during next winter in January and February.
Fabio Quartararo and his teammate Franco Morbidelli were also not very positive about the new Yamaha package recently after the MotoGP test day at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia.
“We know that the new package still has some weaknesses, but I am sure that Japan will work hard to solve them in the coming winter months.” Morbidelli said.
The Sepang International Circuit will host the Official MotoGP Test on February 10, 11, and 12. Crutchlow will be testing the most recent Yamaha parts the days before the official at the same Malaysian circuit during the MotoGP Shakedown test days.