Maverick Vinales says he is “really positive” after day two of the Sepang MotoGP test, as he was able to carry a consistent pace during races runs on the new Yamaha.
Both Vinales and team-mate Valentino Rossi were left encouraged by the new chassis, engine and electronics updates Yamaha brought to this test after Sunday's running.
With tyre life towards the end of a race a massive problem for Yamaha in 2017, Vinales admitted during the team's '18 launch event in Madrid last week that long runs would take his focus for the three days in Malaysia.
While a late time attack netted the Spaniard top spot on the Monday timesheets with a 1:59.355s, the Yamaha rider was able to make big strides in improving his bike over race distance.
“We've been working when the temperature was hotter, so we've been riding then because it's more similar to a race simulation,” he said.
“Today the track was more slippery, so we could make some more steps in the areas we wanted.
“I'm really positive that we could keep a consistent laptime and complete a race distance, and I think we have to continue like this because we are in a good way.
“We have to try to forget one lap and try to make 20 laps, which is what we are trying to do. I will try to do a race simulation with two specific types of tyres to see if it works.
“I am quite happy and from the first lap to the 16th or 18th, the time didn't drop. It's constant and very positive.”
Both factory Yamaha riders trialed a new aerodynamic fairing on Monday, which test riders Katsuyuki Nakasuga and Kohta Nozane debuted last week at a two-day private test at Sepang.
The design was first seen at the Valencia test in November, but has since been slightly revised in order to meet the regulations.
Vinales remained tight-lipped on its benefits, but was happy with it overall and expects to race it at certain circuits during the 2018 season.
“I think we're going to use it on some tracks, because it's very positive,” he stated. Tracks like Le Mans and these kinds of tracks where you have a lot of wheelies, it can be very positive for sure.”
