On the second day of Shakedown in Sepang, Yamaha began to introduce some interesting technical innovations on the M1 entrusted to Cal Crutchlow. After a first day in which he rode with a standard version, the Englishman showed off a new front fairing onto which two new-concept wings for the Iwata brand schemes are grafted.
Thanks to our GPOne colleagues, we are able to show you the first images of the new M1, the result of development in the wind tunnel: the most striking aspect is the front wings, which are very different from those seen in the Valencia tests.
The chord of the two profiles is quite long and there is a small blowing in the trailing edge which highlights the accuracy in the study of micro-aerodynamics, a sign that the MotoGP is becoming very sensitive to generating vortices useful for directing the air where it is most of interest to technicians.
The design of the central part of the fairing is very interesting: the airbox of the new four-cylinder developed by Marmotors, the consultancy company of Luca Marmorini, the father of many Ferrari and Toyota F1 engines, seems slightly larger, especially at the base ( does he need to breathe more?) but then shows an unprecedented central excavation that has the task of directing above the pilot’s helmet, identifying a development trend.
Cal Crutchlow, Yamaha Factory Racing, with the M1 equipped with new wings and hollowed-out cockpit
Photo by: GP One
It is interesting to note how intensely the teams are working on the front part of the bike: Aprilia has introduced the by-pass which, with two ducts, allows air to be drawn under the fairing to transfer it up, right to the sides of the plexiglass, while Yamaha has directed its attention to the central part of the fairing.
Cal Crutchlow with the M1 equipped with the old aerodynamics
The M1 at Sepang has already shown an improvement in top speeds: it should be understood how much the performance increase at the speed trap is the result of the new engine and how much also depends on the shape with which the Diapason bike manages to cut through the air, reducing resistance to progress.
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