Yamaha’s MotoGP Group leader Kouichi Tsuji has said this year’s YZR-M1 may look the same as the 2016 from the outside, but from the inside it is completely different and could change a lot over the course of winter testing, starting at Sepang at the end of January.

Tsuji did not go into any detail about revisions but said that the ban on aerodynamic wings was not a huge problem for the factory as they enhance the base package, not control it.

“Aerodynamics are not the main issue. We want to make the base of the bike higher and aero will enhance the bike’s character.  So from that point of view, sure we try many things and test three times and we will see what will happen,” he said at the team launch.

“Looking from the outside, it is very similar to last year’s bike, just without the winglets, inside of the bike it is completely different from last year’s bike. Also, maybe during the winter test it will change a lot so I am also very curious!”