Although Valentino Rossi believes more top speed is still required from the 2020 Yamaha M1, he has already found improvements in grip and longevity from the rear tyre at the Sepang test.

Losing grip in the last third of a race was a problem for both Rossi and team-mate Maverick Vinales last season but a new electronics strategy and a different tyre from Michelin have improved matters.

“The second day was better than the first because we worked a lot on the new bike. We need some more kilometres, but today we found something good especially for the grip and the pace with the race tyre is positive,” said The Doctor.

“For me the bike has a better potential than last year. But we need to work because also the other manufacturers made steps and Suzuki, Ducati, Honda are all very strong. But looks like we are on a good direction.

“For me we need to work in the top speed in the straight, because we always suffer, but also we have some issue with grip, especially on the rear. The chassis improve this, and also the 2020 tyres from Michelin are better.

“This is good, but unfortunately the tyre from Michelin are the same for everybody! So we made a step but also the other guys. But we are working in that direction especially to improve the degradation for the last part of the race.”