Andrea Locatelli has indicated that Yamaha will need to wait until the 2026 season to fully assess whether their WorldSBK development efforts have been successful. During the Jerez World Superbike test on November 26-27, Locatelli recorded the fastest time on the first day and ranked fourth on the second, as Yamaha worked to address ongoing issues with rear grip and bike turning experienced throughout 2025.
In this test, Locatelli teamed up with new crew chief Giulio Nava for the first time and was pleased with several new components. He described the Thursday session as a strong day, noting that despite rapidly changing track conditions, the adjustments made to the bike helped him gain confidence and find a good rhythm, resulting in a positive overall experience.
However, due to the cool, high-grip conditions during the test, Yamaha won’t have a definitive verdict on their progress until testing resumes in January. Locatelli, echoing Bimota’s Alex Laws who topped the second day’s times, acknowledged that the favorable conditions played a role but emphasized that the team has made some positive advancements to build on next season.
He explained that compared to Wednesday, he tried various setups and parts on the bike, focusing on improving the rear feel. Locatelli feels the development is moving in the right direction and, while it’s too early to make final judgments, he is optimistic that further testing on different tracks will confirm their progress.
Overall, the new developments appear promising based on lap times and averages, suggesting that Yamaha’s improvements should continue to benefit their performance in the future.
Fan Take: This update brings hope to Yamaha fans eager to see a stronger contender in WorldSBK, as overcoming rear grip and handling problems is crucial for competitiveness. If Yamaha’s new developments prove effective in 2026, it could shake up the championship dynamics and inject fresh excitement into the sport.
