What changed
2026-08-20 16:06 UTC → 2026-09-05 16:18 UTC ·
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In July 2026, Turkish rider Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, racing for Pramac Yamaha, described his MotoGP rookie year as a steep learning curve. He blamed the season‑long rotation of tyre compounds for eroding his motivation, noting that each Grand Prix required a different Michelin tyre and that the lack of consistency made it hard to find grip. He added that the Yamaha M1 lagged behind Ducati, Aprilia, KTM and Honda, and that the upcoming 2027 technical overhaul – which will remove the bike‑lowering devices, reduce engine capacity to 850 cc and switch the series tyre supplier from Michelin to Pirelli – could improve his prospects. After 11 rounds Razgatlıoğlu had amassed 12 points, placing him 21st, with his best result an 11th place in Hungary. He acknowledged the mental strain of moving from a World Superbike champion to a MotoGP rookie, but crew chief Alberto Giribuola highlighted moments of brilliance and praised his riding style. Razgatlıoğlu also noted the supportive, family‑like atmosphere at Pramac. Yamaha confirmed a 2027 lineup reshuffle: Jorge Martín and Ai Ogura will move to the factory team, while rookie Izan Guevara will join Razgatlıoğlu at Pramac. He reiterated a goal of a top‑five finish in 2027 and ultimately a championship challenge, hoping the regulation changes and bike development will close the performance gap. By late August 2026, Toprak Razgatlıoğlu continued to express frustration with the his current machinery, stating he feels “hand‑cuffed” by a bike that is “a bit slower than the competition.” He noted that the transition is “hard” and that current results are “not enough” for him. However, he Despite these frustrations, Razgatlıoğlu expressed optimism following tests of Yamaha’s new 850cc engine in Brno, stating the project is on the right track despite track. His teammate, Jack Miller, noted that Razgatlıoğlu’s rookie year has been particularly difficult because the team is currently focusing on developing prioritizing the development of Yamaha’s new V4 engine configuration. Razgatlıoğlu remarked that the team should not rush perfection, as development is still in its early stages. By early September 2026, following a 13th-place finish in the Sprint race at MotorLand Aragón, Razgatlıoğlu urged Yamaha to prioritize the upcoming 850cc regulations over further refinements to the current 1,000cc V4 model. He argued that with the season nearing its end, significant updates to existing machinery would offer limited benefits. He suggested that concentrating resources on the 2027 technical changes would be a more effective strategy. Razgatlıoğlu indicated that the transition to the 850cc era and the shift to Pirelli tires may align better with his riding style, potentially making the bike feel more similar to a Superbike.