Toprak Razgatlioglu took to the track for Yamaha as 2026 pre-season testing began at the Sepang Shakedown in Malaysia. Yamaha remains the sole manufacturer fielding all their full-time riders during this early phase of preparations. Razgatlioglu, riding for the satellite Pramac team, shared the track on Thursday with Augusto Fernandez amid a field dominated largely by test riders and rookies like LCR’s Diogo Moreira.
Razgatlioglu Leads Among New Riders in First Day Performance
On the opening day, Razgatlioglu posted an impressive 1:59.647 lap, securing fourth place overall and emerging as the quickest debutant. Moreira followed in eighth place, highlighting promising performances from the newcomers in this early testing session.
Comparing Razgatlioglu’s Lap Times to Quartararo’s Previous Malaysian GP Performance
While factory riders Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins did not participate on Thursday, Razgatlioglu’s times offer some insights when compared to last year’s Malaysian Grand Prix. Razgatlioglu was aboard Yamaha’s latest V4-powered machine, contrasting with Quartararo’s previous inline four bike. Although the Turkish rider’s exact testing strategy is unknown and he may not have been pushing to the limit this early in testing, his lap times remain notable.
Razgatlioglu’s best time was about 2.3 seconds slower than Quartararo’s 1:57.195 qualifying lap from 2023, which positioned Quartararo fourth on the starting grid. More encouraging, however, is that Razgatlioglu came within two-tenths of Quartararo’s fastest race lap of 1:59.494, signaling strong potential for both rider and team. The three-time World Superbike champion also outpaced Fernandez, who was experimenting with various bike configurations.
Toprak Razgatlioglu’s Prospects Amid Quartararo’s Honda Move
The most significant development for Yamaha concerns Fabio Quartararo, who has confirmed he will switch to Honda for the 2027 season. With Alex Rins in the last year of his contract, Yamaha’s factory lineup might see major changes under new regulations. This creates an opening that boosts Razgatlioglu’s chances of promotion to the factory team.
Razgatlioglu, 29, signed a multi-year agreement with Yamaha before his debut MotoGP season, suggesting that his current role at Pramac serves as a stepping stone toward a full factory ride. If his rookie season shows continued promise, Yamaha is likely to secure him as a key rider moving forward, potentially filling the void left by Quartararo’s departure.
