Movistar Yamaha appear to have found a solution to the tyre wear issues that plagued both Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales last season as both riders have reported good grip and speed on used rubber.

Last year, the M1’s power delivery was aggressive enough to chew even hard rear tyres way before the competition experienced any kind of drop, but a 2016-inspired chassis, new electronics and a less raw motor have fixed the issues.

“I feel constant grip. From lap one to twenty. That’s the positive thing,” said Vinales, who purposely continued to lap during the hottest part of the day when track temperatures were into the 50°C bracket.

“Honestly we’ve been working well, especially 1:30-3pm which is the important time to be fast and constant. Tomorrow we will try to improve the electronics. That is the place we need to adjust more. And then try different set-ups trying to be more competitive.”

The Spaniard went out after he had taken part in his media debriefs to set the fastest time of the day, which came as a surprise as in the morning, crew chief Roman Forcada said that was not in the plan, which proves the new chassis is good for one lap as well as a race distance.