Australian rider Jack Miller posted the fastest lap on the second day of MotoGP’s shakedown in Sepang, coming just short of matching Francesco Bagnaia’s 2025 pole position time from the Malaysian Grand Prix. This performance took place as several MotoGP competitors gathered ahead of the new season’s official tests, underscoring Yamaha’s concentrated efforts to refine their new V4-powered M1 prototype during the winter break.
The 2026 premier class campaign‘s first shakedown in Sepang brought a mix of rookies and seasoned riders, with Yamaha standing out by fielding multiple bikes, eager to extract data and maximize development. Miller’s close lap time to Bagnaia’s benchmark serves as a hopeful sign that Yamaha’s upgrades could translate into improved qualifications and race pace in the coming season.
Yamaha’s Improvements Evident as Miller Nears 2025 Malaysian GP Pole Time
Miller finished the day with a lap time of 1:57.908, a mark that fell less than one full second shy of Francesco Bagnaia’s pole time of 1:57.001 at the 2025 Malaysian Grand Prix. This is a noteworthy advancement compared to last year’s standards, particularly as Miller’s best qualifying lap from 2025 placed him 11th on the starting grid. On this occasion, his shakedown pace would have positioned him around 10th.
To emphasize the progress, Yamaha test rider Augusto Fernandez’s qualifying effort during the M1’s second race weekend in 2025 resulted in a 1:59.382, near the back of the grid. Miller’s sub-58-second lap now paints a promising picture of Yamaha’s ongoing development with the V4 engine, despite Sepang’s current track conditions offering less grip than last year’s qualifying sessions.
Fans of Yamaha have noted the encouraging presence of three Yamaha machines in the top five times on day two, signaling that the factory’s prototype improvements are bearing fruit early in testing.
Toprak Razgatlioglu’s Early Day One Performance Draws Attention
On the opening day of testing, attention centered on rookie Toprak Razgatlioglu, who impressed by coming within two-tenths of Fabio Quartararo’s fastest race lap from the previous Malaysian GP. This performance signals Razgatlioglu’s potential impact as a high-profile newcomer in the premier class, demonstrating competitive pace against seasoned riders.
Quartararo’s Decision to Join Honda Raises Questions Amid Yamaha’s Testing
While Yamaha conducted intense testing at Sepang, unexpected news emerged that reigning world champion Fabio Quartararo is preparing to switch teams, confirming negotiations to ride for Honda in the 2027 season. This development surprised many, as Quartararo had previously expressed support for Yamaha’s V4 project and was believed to be assessing the new bike’s competitiveness before deciding his future.
The French rider’s departure creates uncertainty regarding Yamaha’s long-term prospects and raises speculation about whether his move to Honda is premature. Yamaha’s investment in the V4 engine had aimed to retain Quartararo for at least one more season, making this decision particularly significant for the team’s immediate plans.
Fabio Quartararo addresses the Honda rumours at Sepang! 👀#MotoGP pic.twitter.com/scXzBu5Rds— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) January 30, 2026
Implications for Yamaha and MotoGP’s Competitive Landscape
Jack Miller’s near-matching of Bagnaia’s 2025 Sepang pole time signals real progress for Yamaha, suggesting their V4-powered M1 is closing the gap to the frontrunners, despite lingering questions about their lead rider’s future commitments. Meanwhile, the strong performance from rookie Toprak Razgatlioglu hints at an increasingly competitive field in 2026.
Quartararo’s move to Honda introduces further intrigue ahead of next year’s season and could potentially shift the balance of power among manufacturers. Yamaha’s development efforts during this shakedown will therefore carry added significance as the team seeks to maintain its competitiveness while adjusting to changes on and off the track.
As the MotoGP calendar moves forward, more comprehensive testing and upcoming races will reveal whether these early signs of progress translate into concrete successes for Yamaha and its riders.
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