Following feedback from Rossi in the closing stages of this season, Yamaha decided to focus on upping their bike's performances when cornering. Despite catching up on rivals Ducati and Honda in terms of straight-line speed, the Japanese manufacturer is yet to improve pinpoint cornering speeds and that's exactly what Masao Furusawa - Yamaha´s Executive Officer of Engineering Operations – has in mind for the Valencia test next week.
“Next year we will be expecting a little bit more and also upgrading the sophisticated electronic system to get faster in cornering. We've changed a lot of things about the engine so far. Especially with the balance between the power and the fuel efficiency. That was a problem in the first year,” admitted Furusawa in an interview for MotoGP News ahead of the Valencia Grand Prix this weekend.
Unlike rivals Ducati, Yamaha decided not to use carbon fiber on their 2009 frame, despite the decreased bike's weight provided if using the material. Furusawa revealed that “it's really hard to adjust. It's not so flexible, and for this reason I don´t want to use it for the M1”.
Yamaha plan on making their M1 updates available to their Tech 3 Yamaha satellite also, although the implementation of those developments will occur a little later. The French outfit is set to extend deals for both James Toseland and Colin Edwards for 2009.
The Valencia Grand Prix will get under way this weekend, with most teams expected to remain in Spain during the upcoming week to begin tests on their new bikes.
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