MotoGP

Yamaha Qatar test notes 2009-03-03

Fiat Yamaha finish night test in promising style with second and third The Fiat Yamaha Team finished the Qatar night test in good spirits this evening, with Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi second and third respectively in the ...

Published: Jun 19, 2009, 7:46 PM

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Fiat Yamaha finish night test in promising style with second and third

The Fiat Yamaha Team finished the Qatar night test in good spirits this evening, with Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi second and third respectively in the standings.

Lorenzo made a huge improvement as he continued to adapt to the new Bridgestone tyres and his new-found confidence led to a promising long run, in which he set a string of consistent laps. His best time of 1'56.733 left him second behind Casey Stoner and last year's leading rookie is now confident of being on the pace at the first race in one months time.

After a strong showing yesterday, Rossi ran into a few problems later on this evening when the cold meant the grip level of the track went down significantly. He is confident however that in the warmer temperatures expected at the race in a months time he will be in better shape. He posted the third best time tonight, with a fastest lap of 1'56.972.

The team now returns to Europe for the final test of the year, the Official MotoGP Test in Jerez, Spain on 28th and 29th March.

Valentino Rossi - Position: 3rd Time: 1'56.972 Laps: 75

"In the early part of the evening we were fast enough but later on, when it became much colder and the grip went down, we suffered quite a bit. I started a long run but in fact I was getting slower and slower, so we didn't finish and concentrated on trying some different things with the setting instead. Our position is not so bad; we're third, close to Lorenzo. Stoner is very fast but I am not too worried because we have a good idea about our path for the race and I think that in one month, when it is hopefully a few degrees warmer, we will be okay. This is not a great track for me or for the bike and the target for the race will be to be to be better than last year! Next we go to Jerez for the final test and I am expecting to be strong there."

Jorge Lorenzo - Position: 2nd Time: 1'56.733 Laps: 82

"I am so happy tonight because this session has been much, much better for us. The long run was especially good but in fact the whole evening has been an improvement, so I am very pleased about the job we have done. We've tried some different settings, which have helped, but mainly I have adapted and found a way to be comfortable, which means I can ride faster. I have a much better feeling with the Bridgestone tyres and I was able to be very consistent throughout the long run and keep a good rhythm. Everyone has worked really hard to make this step and I am happy to finish this test on a good note. Now I am looking forward to the race!"

Davide Brivio - Team Manager

"Overall we're satisfied with this test because we've found some good new things in the electronics and to improve the acceleration and in general we've been quite fast. Tonight we suffered later on when it was colder and there was less grip, but we've spent a lot of time working on a solution and we have gathered a lot of information which we will now study carefully. This is very important because this season we will have one practice session less at each race and we need to be ready!"

Daniele Romagnoli - Team Manager

"This has been quite a positive day for us. We found a good setting that enabled Jorge to find the confidence to be faster into the corners and at the same time day by day he has improved his riding style on the Bridgestone tyres. I think the job we've done here will help us a lot when we come here for the first race in April."

-credit: yamaha

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Read also :

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Previous article Pramac Qatar test notes 2009-03-03

Next article Yamaha Tech 3 Qatar test summary

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

More from

Jorge Lorenzo



Jorge Lorenzo: Marc Marquez less explosive now, but smarter than ever

MotoGP

MotoGP

German GP

Jorge Lorenzo: Marc Marquez less explosive now, but smarter than ever



Maverick Vinales and Jorge Lorenzo's partnership cools down after early enthusiasm

MotoGP

MotoGP

Brazil GP

Maverick Vinales and Jorge Lorenzo's partnership cools down after early enthusiasm



How Jorge Lorenzo is pushing Maverick Vinales beyond his limits in MotoGP

MotoGP

MotoGP

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing launch

How Jorge Lorenzo is pushing Maverick Vinales beyond his limits in MotoGP

Latest news



William Byron and Rudy Fugle really needed this one

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Martinsville II

1 h

William Byron and Rudy Fugle really needed this one



It's all over but the dog and pony show as Kyle Larson nears third Cup

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Martinsville II

1 h

It's all over but the dog and pony show as Kyle Larson nears third Cup



Penalty drops Oscar Piastri out of F1 Mexico GP points

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Mexican GP

1 h

Penalty drops Oscar Piastri out of F1 Mexico GP points



Alpine drivers penalised post-race, Ryo Hirakawa scores on F1 debut at Mexico GP

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Mexican GP

1 h

Alpine drivers penalised post-race, Ryo Hirakawa scores on F1 debut at Mexico GP

Feature

Discover prime content



Is MotoGP’s title fight over after the Australian GP swing?

MotoGP

Australian GP

By Rachit Thukral

Is MotoGP’s title fight over after the Australian GP swing?



MotoGP riders could get what they want, and fast, if only they would stand together

MotoGP

Indonesian GP

By Richard Asher

MotoGP riders could get what they want, and fast, if only they would stand together



Five things we learned from MotoGP's brutal Indonesian Grand Prix

MotoGP

Indonesian GP

By Richard Asher

Five things we learned from MotoGP's brutal Indonesian Grand Prix



The contrasting tactics used by Ducati and Aprilia in MotoGP 2026 title fight

MotoGP

Japanese GP

By Rachit Thukral

The contrasting tactics used by Ducati and Aprilia in MotoGP 2026 title fight

Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.

You have 2 options:

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts

Subscribe