Both of MotoGP’s Japanese manufacturers, Yamaha and Honda, have endured difficult 2023 campaigns, with the former scoring just two podiums in the first eight rounds.
Fabio Quartararo was third in the Americas Grand Prix and inherited that position in the Dutch GP sprint following a track limits penalty for KTM’s Brad Binder.
Yamaha currently sits last in the constructors’ table, seven points behind Honda and 203 adrift of Ducati – which has won all but two sprints and one GP in 2023.
The difficulties faced by Honda and Yamaha have led to discussions about concessions being resurrected for the ailing Japanese manufacturers.
Asked after the Dutch GP if it was hard to understand the performance of the Japanese factories in MotoGP right now, Morbidelli said: “From outside yes, but from the inside it’s just the exact reflection of what’s happening in every track session and at every race. We are not surprised by that.
“We are just fully focused on working to improve that situation.
“I’m not daunted by seeing Yamaha in last position on the constructors’ chart.
“I’m just more focused and motivated to do a better job as a rider, to be consistent, to be quick, to extract the maximum, to push the limits. And that’s what we are doing.
Source: Autosport