A brand new Yamaha chief has admitted they “anticipated extra” from Jonathan Rea’s debut season.
Rea ended his legendary Kawasaki stint which yielded six World Superbike Championship titles to affix their rival model a 12 months in the past.
However in 2024 on the Yamaha, Rea didn’t win and even make a single podium.
He ended the season thirteenth within the championship.
“It was actually a season beneath expectations,” new Yamaha WSBK sporting director Niccolo Canepa instructed Motosprint.
“We anticipated extra from Jonathan and plenty of outcomes weren’t in keeping with our hopes.
“We’re working laborious, and nicely, to get again to the positions that matter and to be persistently on the rostrum, as we had performed in earlier years, and to assist Rea regain the arrogance he has misplaced a bit.
“Already on the finish of the season we noticed vital steps ahead: there will likely be modifications, we’re working laborious to attempt to get again up”.
Rea’s Yamaha group have additionally come below scrutiny from their title sponsor.
The proprietor of Pata admitted he was “demoralised” by the struggles of final 12 months.
And even Rea has conceded that retirement briefly entered his thoughts after his below-par Yamaha debut 12 months.
However he’ll return for the WSBK 2025 12 months. He will likely be 38 years outdated subsequent month.
