Is there finally light at the end of the tunnel for Valentino Rossi’s M1 grip woes?

The Italian seemed pleased with progress made after the third day of testing at the Losail International Circuit thanks to the new 2021 chassis improvements and the inclusion of a new wider front fairing.

Although fully new areo packages are not permitted for non-concession teams - due to the revised and restricted upgrades allowance put in place throughout the pandemic - certain tweaks and adaptions have found their way around the rules - think Ducati’s new scoop for one.

Yamaha’s latest upgrades certainly seem to be passing muster with the long-standing rider. Rossi set the fastest top speed of the Yamaha quartet - 343.9kph - as the second three-day test got going in Qatar, matching that of Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro, although there is still a way to go to catch the dominance of the Ducati’s.

Pleased with the progress made so far but acknowledging the work still ahead, the Italian explained: “You know at the end I am P13, so I’m not very happy but it was a good day because compared to the first test I improved very much my pace. The time attack and also the race pace is a lot better and I feel good with the bike. The bike I ride quite well but if I compare with the top guys, they are a bit faster. So we need to work but today was a positive day, also because we try something new from Yamaha.

“We try a new chassis, we try a new cowling, and I like, I like the new stuff. So, this is very good also for improve the bike during the season, and is a positive day. I’m quite happy.”

Having spent the majority of his 56 laps on track analysing the new parts, alongside his race pace in comparison to last weekend’s outing, the 41-year-old continued: “I improved more or less everywhere, also my riding style. I’m better in the change of direction, I enter better in the corner but especially I have more grip in acceleration. Because in the first, especially in the second day of the test, I suffer, maybe I have some issue with the tyres, but I was very, very slow. Today, I enjoy but now we have to check the data, and the first three guys, especially Miller and Quartararo but also Vińales, were impressive, they make a very good lap time, so we need to check the data for try to improve.

“It is very important because with the bike of last year we suffer very much, especially in the second half of the season. We saw that Yamaha during this winter, work, this is good, because now all the factory work very hard and year by year the bike improved very much, so we need to we need to follow this way and it’s also good for the motivation when you find something better.”