During a reflective interview at the Valencia season finale, Alex Rins shared his MotoGP insights, highlighting Aprilia’s surge in performance to rival Ducati’s dominance. These observations provide a fresh perspective on the evolving strengths among MotoGP manufacturers, drawing attention to shifts in the competitive landscape.
Rins Observes Aprilia’s Rise to Ducati’s Level
After each race weekend, Alex Rins took time at home to review performances across the MotoGP grid. In his assessment, he noted significant advancements by Aprilia throughout the 2023 season. He stated,
“What I saw is that the Aprilia improves a lot. It goes to the level of the Ducati,”
— Alex Rins, Monster Yamaha rider. This view encapsulates how, despite Ducati’s sweep of the riders’, constructors’, and teams’ titles, Aprilia managed to close the year powerfully, claiming three race victories in the final four races after Marc Marquez’s injury.
Honda’s Progress and Ongoing Challenges for Yamaha
The progress wasn’t limited to Aprilia. Honda also experienced a positive shift. Rins remarked on the notable improvements achieved by Johann Zarco at the beginning of the year, as well as by Luca Marini and Joan Mir in later races.
“So it looks like right now we are a little bit on the back. But nothing in the future is written.”
— Alex Rins, Monster Yamaha rider. Honda succeeded in climbing out of the D concession tier by reaching 285 constructor points, marking their best season since 2019.
Yamaha, with Rins aboard the Monster Yamaha team, saw Fabio Quartararo return to the podium and went close to winning the British Grand Prix. However, as the season progressed, Yamaha’s inline-four machine results waned, prompting the factory’s engineers to pivot their development efforts toward a new V4 concept targeted for a 2026 debut.
Yamaha’s Strategic Shift Towards the V4 Engine
The final decision to focus on the V4 came after consistent feedback was gathered from Yamaha’s four riders, all of whom noted similar shortcomings—primarily a persistent lack of rear grip. As Rins confirmed,
“They improved the bike a bit this season, but they were more focused on the V4 project,”
— Alex Rins, Monster Yamaha rider. This consensus among diverse riding styles helped steer Yamaha’s technical direction. Rins explained,
“It’s helpful to have four different riders, and four different riding styles, complaining more or less the same, so we can give a hand to them to work in a specific way,”
— Alex Rins, Monster Yamaha rider.
The Limits of the Inline Engine and Looking Forward
Rins, who clinched the last MotoGP victory for Suzuki’s inline-four during their emotional Valencia farewell in 2022, suggested that Yamaha’s current engine may have reached its developmental peak. He reflected that
“Yamaha tried many things to improve this engine, and maybe they arrived at the top of its development; they cannot find anything more.”
He emphasized the need for constant technical progress, saying,
“Time flies and you need to always be improving the bikes,”
— Alex Rins, Monster Yamaha rider.
With Yamaha’s transition set for the coming years, the manufacturer is intent on exploring the advantages of the new V4 engine to renew its competitive edge. As Rins concluded,
“So, for this reason, they chose to change the engine to see if they can perform more,”
— Alex Rins, Monster Yamaha rider, and,
“It’s a new project so every time we jump on the bike, we will test something different. So let’s see what they bring here and for Sepang [in February].”
— Alex Rins, Monster Yamaha rider.
Implications for MotoGP’s Competitive Future
The fresh insights from Alex Rins underscore the dynamic nature of MotoGP development, with Aprilia now challenging Ducati’s status and both Honda and Yamaha working to close the gap. Yamaha’s commitment to a new V4 machine, propelled by rider input and technical limitations, signals a willingness to innovate in the face of tough competition. With the 2026 debut of Yamaha’s V4 engine on the horizon and continuing efforts from Honda, Ducati, and Aprilia, the landscape of MotoGP promises further evolution, ensuring fans and teams remain invested as the racing world anticipates these technological breakthroughs.
