MotoGP: Monster Energy Yamaha ready for an “intense season”

The Monster Energy Yamaha has been revealed ahead of an “intense” 2024 season.

Another MotoGP team launch has ended with Yamaha unveiling their 2024 MotoGP contender. It was also the first time we saw Alex Rins in full factory Yamaha colours at the Sepang circuit.

The livery looked very similar to last year, with the camouflage look returning from last season. It is also the sixth season that Monster Energy has been the team’s title sponsor (beginning in 2019).

The launch happened ahead of pre-season testing at Sepang, where all manufacturers will take part in three days of testing. However, due to the new concession rules, Yamaha has already tested at the Shakedown.

The 2021 MotoGP World Champion, Fabio Quartararo returning for a fourth season with Monster Energy Yamaha. Joining him will be Alex Rins who aims to become the first rider to win for three different manufacturers In MotoGP. It is a big year for Yamaha with both riders’ contracts ending at the end of the season.

Lin Jarvis said: “Last year was a tough season, but we have regrouped, restructured our organisation, and now we are ready to make a comeback. Having made significant changes to our MotoGP project team and with a new rider line-up, the team feel refreshed and ready to tackle the 2024 season.

“The Yamaha engineers have been working around the clock during the ‘winter break’ and kept developing the bike. So, though the livery remains the same for this season, there is much more to the 2024-spec M1 than is apparent at first glance.”

At the Sepang Shakedown Yamaha tested multiple new parts including aero and a longer exhaust. The team also tested a bigger tail unit at the Shakedown, which could be used to hold a mass damper. Take a look at the Sepang Shakedown:

Concessions to help Yamaha

Yamaha has gained concessions in 2024 due to a lack of results in previous seasons. Last year Yamaha did not win a race and claimed just three podiums throughout the year. This means they are allowed 9/10 engines and 90 more test tyres compared to Ducati. For an overview of concessions in 2024:

He added: “At the start of the 2024 championship, we face three pre-season tests followed by a 21-event calendar with 42 individual races, including the Sprints and main Races. In addition to that we have numerous IRTA tests throughout the season as well as many private tests where we can now use our GP riders due to the application of the new Concession rules for 2024.

“So, it will be a long and intense season, where both performance and endurance will count to achieve championship success.”

The paddock will have a three-day test in Sepang before a further two days in Qatar on February 19-20. The season will then get underway on March 8-10 for the start of the 21-weekend season.

Jarvis concluded: “Having already started with the ‘Shakedown Test’, we will now begin the real season with the Official Sepang IRTA Test, which is where we can evaluate our performance versus our competitors.

“I believe this year will be one of the most exciting MotoGP seasons in recent times, and I hope the fans all around the world will enjoy the battles over the next 10 months. Let’s get started.”

Image credit: Monster Energy Yamaha