Yamaha has unveiled its new bike for the 2017 MotoGP season, the YZR-M1, at a launch event on Thursday in Madrid with riders Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales.
Yamaha took the 2016 Teams' title but missed out on the other two trophies, as Marc Márquez and Honda clinched the riders' and manufacturers' championships respectively, limiting Yamaha to just six victores across the course of the year.
The Japanese marque has revised its line-up for 2017, with Viñales joining from Suzuki following three-time MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo's move to Ducati. Rossi signed a new two-year contract with Yamaha taking him to the end of the 2018 season last spring.
Viñales claimed his maiden MotoGP victory at Silverstone last year with Suzuki, having stepped up to the premier class of motorcycle racing in 2015 following a third-place finish in Moto2 the previous year. The Spaniard also won the Moto3 title back in 2013.
On Thursday, Rossi and Viñales were on hand to take the covers off the new Yahama YZR-M1 that will be raced in the 2017 season, having previously tested it at Valencia and Sepang.
"I had the first test in Valencia after the race, but particularly after we moved to Sepang and we could have more kilometres and [do] more work on the new bike," Rossi said.
"We discovered a very good potential. It looks like we can be stronger. For sure now it's important to work in the three tests before the first race, and try to arrive ready in Qatar. But the first impression is very good."
Viñales enjoyed his maiden test on the YZR-M1 in Valencia, immediately setting a rapid pace that caught even the rider himself by surprise.
"Well let's say last year when I was following the Yamaha, the bike was really fast," Viñales said. "When I got on the Yamaha, I just tried to ride as I normally do. For me the bike was really good. I was surprised I could go so fast in just a few days.
"This year I'm working very hard and I'm doing everything I can do to be the best Maverick I can."
Rossi added: "In our team I get used to having very strong team-mate before with Jorge. But Maverick impressed me very much already from the first day. Unfortunately for me he's already very strong!
"I think that we can do a good job together to improve the bike and try to bring the bike on the podium every week."
The YZR-M1 sports a revised livery, with a darker blue being joined by a greater presence for title sponsor Movistar on the bike, as also reflected in the team's new logo.
The new MotoGP season begins on March 26 in Qatar.
