Jack Miller and Andrea Locatelli every took half of their first pre-event check for the 2025 Suzuka 8 Hours this week on 3–4 July, with each Europe-based Yamaha Racing Workforce riders drawing optimistic conclusions.
For Miller and Locatelli, the two-day check was their first style of the endurance-specification Yamaha R1.
Miller was returning to the Suzuka observe for the primary time since he raced there throughout his time as a Honda MotoGP rider in 2017, and the Australian was happy together with his preliminary impression of the bike.
“It was good to be again right here in Suzuka, particularly with the R1 – it is a variety of enjoyable,” stated Jack Miller on the finish of the two-day check.
“The long term with Loka [Andrea Locatelli] went effectively immediately; I believe we did a great job collectively. The tempo is nice, the velocity is okay, and I believe that in the course of the race weekend we are going to discover a bit of additional margin after we want it – which is regular. Total, working with the R1 feels good.
Miller added that he’s nonetheless constructing consolation with the Suzuka observe.
“I am getting an increasing number of snug with the Suzuka Circuit,” he stated.
“It is a lengthy observe, and there are lots of areas the place you may make a mistake. Making an attempt to place an ideal lap collectively may be very troublesome, so immediately was about changing into snug together with your marks and preparing for the Suzuka 8 Hours.”
Locatelli: “Pleased with the boldness we’ve”
Andrea Locatelli additionally gave optimistic indications after the two-day check, feeling content material with the boldness he has on the endurance-spec R1.
“We did a variety of work immediately, and we’re actually proud of the boldness we’ve on the bike,” he stated.
“Total, it was significantly better than the primary day – however that is regular. On day one, we wanted to get to know the bike, the observe, and one million issues round this bike.
“It was a great day two.
“I am trying ahead to the race weekend. We’ll have extra time there to maintain enhancing, get extra feeling with the bike, achieve extra expertise with the Bridgestone tires, after which I believe we’ll actually have the ability to benefit from the race.”
Locatelli added that he’s nonetheless unsure the place he and Yamaha stack up versus the opposite producers and groups.
“At this time I used to be on observe with Jack [Miller], and I rode alone too,” he stated.
“We nonetheless do not know precisely the place we stand when there are different opponents on the market. We’ll have to test in the course of the race weekend, however the workforce stated the lap instances immediately weren’t too unhealthy.
“They have been constant, with no errors – and that is the primary factor in an endurance race.
“I believe, for my first time right here in Suzuka, we did an awesome job, and I am fairly proud of the job I did too.
“In fact, I am additionally trying ahead to going again and persevering with my WorldSBK championship, however I already cannot wait to return again right here once more for the true Suzuka 8 Hours race weekend.”
Nakasuga “relieved” by base setup acceptance
Yamaha veteran and four-time Suzuka 8 Hours winner Katsuyuki Nakasuga had examined the R1 within the official check a number of days earlier than the personal check that Locatelli and Miller rode at.
The Japanese rider stated he was “relieved” to see that the bottom setup he and Soichiro Minamimoto had developed was appreciated by the Europe-based riders.
“I believe over the 2 day check right here Jack [Miller] and Loka [Andrea Locatelli] acquired to grips with the bike,” he stated.
“I am relieved to see that the bottom setup we put collectively within the June check is working effectively. As a result of that is an endurance race, we’ve to share the identical bike, so there are some issues all of us needed to adapt to.
“However I believe they each understood this effectively and improved their efficiency each time they went out. I could not journey immediately, however collectively we confirmed our tire selections.
“Total, I believe it was an excellent check. Throughout the precise race weekend it will likely be completely different, although, as a result of there shall be completely different observe situations and we’ll have site visitors on observe.
“I am certain we will elevate our efficiency even greater as soon as we’re again for the race weekend, however I might like to try this in a relaxed manner.
“Even at our current degree, I believe we will compete towards our rivals. But when we will enhance our communication just a little bit extra we will undoubtedly goal for the highest step of the rostrum.”
