Compared to Fabio Quartararo, Alex Rins prefers less intervention from the electronics – Rins also finds aerodynamics more important than the engine concept
Alex Rins is gradually getting to grips with the Yamaha M1. The Spaniard did not score any points at the season opener in Qatar. But in Portugal, he managed to qualify directly for Q2, just like his team-mate Fabio Quartararo. In the two races, however, Rins was clearly behind the Frenchman
In the Portimao sprint, Rins retired early due to a crash. In the Grand Prix, he scored 13th world championship points. Quartararo finished seventh. Over the long race distance, Rins lost eleven seconds to his team-mate.
Since the winter tests, Quartararo has emphasized that Yamaha is working on the electronics and developing new strategies. However, this is a lengthy process and cannot be completed from one day to the next.
During the Portimao weekend, Quartararo commented on the comparison with his new team-mate: “Alex has a similar riding style to me, but he is completely different when it comes to electronics.” The former world champion did not give any further details.
Instead, Rins revealed that he generally prefers settings in which the electronics do not intervene as much: “When I rode for Suzuki, I was used to working with the throttle. The traction control was set very low.”
“I want to feel the bike more in my hand. Here at Yamaha, the power delivery is different to Suzuki. I try to follow my own path and feel comfortable riding like this.”
Rins also notes that Quartararo tried his settings during the winter tests, but “he didn’t like it that much”. Because it also depends on the individual riding style, as both riders emphasize
After the first winter test, Rins noticed that the Yamaha’s in-line four-cylinder engine felt different to that of the Suzuki. In between, he rode the V4 engine from Honda and can make direct comparisons.
However, the six-time MotoGP race winner does not believe that Yamaha needs to change the engine concept: “I don’t think it’s so much a question of V-engine or in-line engine, but more about the fairing and the wings. That helps with turning now.”
This is because the competition with V4 engines has also improved cornering behavior through aerodynamics and made up for the Yamaha’s advantage
