Yamaha looks to be in serious trouble for the 2026 season opener in Thailand, and Jack Miller’s racing simulation was a startling sight in testing.
Iwata’s outfit have struggled with V4 throughout the pre-season. Engine-related issues hindered the exit at Sepang, forcing them to stop activities on the second day.
Miller declined to answer questions. It highlights his and his team’s frustrations with the subject in Malaysia. Things have not improved. Pramak Rider or his companions in Buriram.
Fabio Quattararo was seen getting angry with his bike in Thailand when he had more problems with the V4. Later he said that the machine is second slow compared to last year, but Miller Running during the test highlighted the extent of the problem.
Jack Miller was ’40 to 50 seconds’ slower than expected race-winning pace in Thailand, GP simulation
Miller came out for a competitive simulation on the second day of the Test at Buriram. Pit lane reporter Jack Appleyard, on the other hand, averaged the race two seconds slower than the winner’s expected pace, cutting ’40 to 50 seconds’ off the sprint distance.
He said at Appleyard MotoGP’s Midday Live: “Yamaha, speaking throughout the test, we look like a broken record, but they are not fighting for the top 10.
By no stretch of the imagination will they be fighting their way into the top five before we get to Europe.
“We saw Jack Miller go out and do a full race simulation of laps 21, 22, and he averaged about a second and a half, two seconds slower than what we expect the race winner to do on Sunday.
This time next week, you’ll be 40 to 50 seconds away from the race winner. But we expected, as we said after the banner, Jack is really intelligent, has a big picture and a long-term vision.
Read more: Everything you need to know about Jack Miller from his net worth to his wife
Fabio Quattararo predicted the 2026 season will be the biggest failure with Yamaha.
Miller was the fastest Yamaha rider on day two. Buriram’s attempt in P16, his best time was a second slower than Aprilia’s Marco Bezecchi, who set a new lap record.
Quattararo was P17, just 29 percent of a second behind Miller. Alex Rins and Toprak Razgatlioglu finished 20th and 21st, just ahead of Ducati reserve rider Michel Pirro, the latter two seconds slower than Bezeci.
Alarm bells are ringing Yamaha As they look away from the pace of their competitors. 2026 was going to be a learning year and one focused on development, but they didn’t expect to be far behind.
Neil Hodgson thinks that Quartararo will be the biggest failure in 2026. Rumored to be heading to Honda, the Frenchman doesn’t expect it to work as he turns his back on the Yamaha project.
