Toprak posts strong Barcelona M1 test, eyes Mugello
Toprak Razgatlioglu showed clear progress adapting to MotoGP on Yamaha’s updated M1 at the post-race Barcelona test. He completed 45 laps, the most of any rider, and said he really liked the new chassis because it improved corner entry, rear grip and consistency. Pramac team principal Gino Borsoi said the data show Toprak is learning to ride like Fabio Quartararo in many corners. The team ran the updated chassis and aerodynamic upgrades during the test, and Razgatlioglu said he is likely to race the updated package at Mugello on May 29-31.
Significant weaknesses remained on one lap and in race trim. Razgatlioglu could not unlock peak pace on Michelin’s soft tire, a dedicated soft-tire time attack left him 19th and last on the timesheets, about 1.257 seconds off the top. He crashed in Q1 at the Catalan GP and race officials demoted him from 15th to 16th after a tire-pressure penalty that cost him points. His race best lap was 0.630 seconds slower than the race winner, Fabio di Giannantonio, though it was within 0.2 seconds of teammate Fabio Quartararo’s best. Pramac and Razgatlioglu trace the shortfall to muscle memory from his World Superbike style, which biases him toward demanding exit grip rather than holding corner speed on the soft compound. After six rounds he sits 22nd in the championship.
Yamaha and Pramac said they will continue developing the M1, but straight-line speed remains a clear limitation. Yamaha managing director Paolo Pavesio warned Razgatlioglu is at “rock bottom” with the YZR-M1, but said the rider can adapt over time and must internalize adjustments. There is no confirmed engine update to fix the V4’s top-speed deficit, and the team said they hope to address straight-line issues with further updates and setup work. Feedback on Yamaha’s aerodynamic package was mixed, Jack Miller and Fabio Quartararo responded positively while several riders disliked the new front aero and said it needs more development. The Barcelona test was interrupted by a midday rain shower that limited running; Pedro Acosta set the fastest lap at 1:38.767 and Quartararo was second on 1:38.831.
