Pramac Yamaha star Toprak Razgatlioglu is trying not to look at the sheets during a difficult start to his switch to MotoGP, as he finds it “very difficult” to stay positive.
The 29-year-old will finally make his MotoGP debut this Sunday Grand Prix of Thailand. But Razgatlioglu As he struggled to adapt to the new V4-engined, he did not give much hope for a strong result in Buriram Yamaha YZR-M1 and find speed throughout the preseason test.
Razgatlioglu was only 21st out of 22 riders in the combined time table after two days of testing in Buriram last weekend, with a personal best lap time of 1:30.772. Only Michele Pirro set a worse time (1:31.777), standing in for the injured Fermin Aldeguer at Gresini.
Factory Yamaha rider Fabio Quartararo and Pramak Partner Jack Miller offered his help to Razgatlioglu during the test in Buriram. Quatararo Razgatlioglu felt “very desperate”. Due to the lack of speed on the M1, it looks like the worst bike on the 2026 MotoGP grid.
What is your podium prediction for the Thai Grand Prix?
Pramac rider Toprak Razgatlioglu has suggested that Yamaha may not be ‘strong’ until 2027.
Yamaha will not have a modified V4 engine ready for the Thailand GP.And the Iwata team is unlikely to field an improved class ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix at the fourth round. The Japanese manufacturer will only have new parts in Buriram to improve reliability.
Read more: Everything you need to know about Toprak Razgatlioglu from net worth to nickname
Razgatlioglu believes Yamaha has the ability to improve their bikes “significantly”, but admits it may take until the 2027 MotoGP regulations. So, with a lack of speed so difficult to deal with, Razgatlioglu suggested that Pramac should “turn off” the timing screens in their garage.
Razgatlioglu: “I have to keep my positive attitude and enjoy the ride Fast week. But sometimes that’s too hard.
“I tried to improve in the last test but I didn’t achieve anything. Everyone tells me that I need time, I understand, but for the last six years I have done very well in Superbikes. I was able to adapt quickly and show what I can do. But now it is very difficult.
“I’m trying not to look at the schedules. Maybe we should just turn off the controls. I thought it would be tough. It’s tough with Yamaha at the moment, but I believe this brand can improve significantly.”
They have already celebrated many achievements. Everyone is working hard. Maybe Yamaha will be stronger in the middle of the year, end of the year or next year. But I also have a lot to learn.
Toprak Razgatlioglu must soon find a way to adapt to the Yamaha MotoGP bike.
Razgatlioglu became a three-time World Superbike champion in MotoGP, taking the 2025 title as the last BMW rider in the production bike series. He won the 2021 title with the Yamaha World Superbike Team before taking the 2024 title with BMW in his first year.
Read more: MotoGP experts predict the 2026 season, including the riders’ title winner
Where do you think Toprak Razgatlioglu will finish in his MotoGP debut?
The Turkish talent known as Freaks Demon won 78 out of 258 races, scored 24 pole positions and reached 173 podiums in World Superbikes from 2018 to 2025. He is the only BMM rider to win 21 of the 36 races in 2025.
But Razgatlioglu is now watching how Miller rides the Yamaha M1. In an effort to adapt a different prototype package to the production bikes ridden in the World Superbikes. A new approach to braking, Michelin tires and MotoGP’s ride height equipment must be learned.
Pramac pleaded with Razgatlioglu to brake earlier on the Yamaha MotoGP bike.Because it can carry more speed in the corners, which is not possible in the world superbikes. He struggled to adjust but his fastest lap times weren’t going down as a result.
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