Miller the lead Yamaha as Bezzecchi tops the timesheets with lap record pace
Jack Miller wrapped up MotoGP’s 2026 pre-season test at Buriram with tangible progress for Yamaha’s new V4 program, putting the Prima Pramac Yamaha into the 1m29s and completing solid longer-run work ahead of next weekend’s Thai Grand Prix.
Miller’s final day followed a clear structure: longer runs through the middle of the session to better understand the bike, then a late time-attack. The result was a 1’29.672s, a step that showed steady gains across the test. The consistent theme across the Yamaha garages is that the YZR-M1 V4 project is moving in the right direction, but needs more time.
Miller wasn’t the only Yamaha rider to show speed late in the piece. Fabio Quartararo also broke into the 1m29s and finished just 0.029s behind the Australian, while Alex Rins continued to close in with an improved one-lap effort that kept him within striking distance of the lead Yamaha pair. For Toprak Razgatlioglu, the final day was more stop-start: technical issues derailed early progress and he ultimately missed the chance to dip into the 1m30s.
While Yamaha’s focus was on building raceable pace and understanding the platform, the test ended with Aprilia on top. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) produced a late 1’28.668 – the quickest lap ever recorded around Buriram in testing – while Ai Ogura put the Trackhouse Aprilia second, only 0.097s back.
Aprilia arguably leaves Thailand as the pre-season benchmark, with Bezzecchi combining pace with consistency over longer runs, and Jorge Martin also logging productive mileage while trying rear aero variations.
Ducati continued to work ongoing aero direction choice, with Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia both seen evaluating earlier configurations as they worked through the final day’s program. Behind them, Alex Marquez again looked sharp for Gresini despite a late fall, and VR46’s Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Di Giannantonio continued their methodical approach, balancing late-session speed runs with broader set-up work. Marc Marquez finished in the top three for Ducati despite a couple of spills across the two days.
KTM and Honda both left Buriram with reasons for optimism as well – Pedro Acosta moved up the order and banked important long runs in the hot conditions, while Honda stayed on its upward curve with Joan Mir slotting the RCV into the top 10.
With MotoGP preseason testing now wrapped up, the 2026 MotoGP championship will begin in earnest at the same Thailand venue this weekend from Feb 27th – Mar 1st.
Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha)
“Today was busy and tough — I‘ll definitely sleep well tonight. We completed two long runs of around 20 laps each, and that‘s part of the process when you‘re working with a new motorcycle, trying to understand it and develop it. We know there are clear areas we need to improve, but overall I feel good on the bike and I can feel it getting better step by step. That‘s encouraging, and I‘m looking forward to going racing. We‘re aware that this track is a challenging one for us, especially with the long straights, but we have a clear plan for the first updates and everyone is pushing hard. I‘m pushing the guys, and at the same time trying to give them the most precise feedback possible to shorten the development process. Handling-wise I feel comfortable, and I firmly believe the engineers are doing everything they can. Considering this bike was basically built six months ago, being around a second off on a single lap shows we‘re moving in the right direction.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu (Prima Pramac Yamaha)
“Today my focus was on race simulation work and also on riding behind Jack. I think I understood much more about the bike and I‘m starting to understand these tyres better as well. The more I ride, the more comfortable I feel. I know I still have a lot to improve, also mentally. When I was riding behind Jack and saw how much he leaned on the front tyre, I was sure he was going to crash. But then I saw how smoothly he carried the corner, and I realised it‘s my mind that needs to adapt and trust these tyres more. I was able to do six or seven laps on the same set of tyres with consistent lap times, which is positive. I‘m looking forward to continuing this learning process.”
Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha)
“We are in the process of figuring out how the new bike works compared to the previous one. We need a bit more time. Hopefully, we will make more steps in the coming months. In terms of pace, we still need to improve. We will work hard on this. My finger is not fully healed yet at the moment, but I will be fine for the first race.”
Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha)
“The test and the preseason have been completed. We need to keep working. I tried to give my best feedback to the engineers to improve the bike. Physically, I’m feeling super strong. I did a really good preseason in terms of the gym, so I’m ready for the season.”
MOTOGP BURIRAM TEST COMBINED TIMES
| POS | RIDER | BIKE | TIME |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | M. Bezzecchi | APR | 1'28.668s |
| 2 | A. Ogura | APR | 1'28.765s |
| 3 | M. Marquez | DUC | 1'28.836s |
| 4 | F. Bagnaia | DUC | 1'28.883s |
| 5 | A. Marquez | DUC | 1'28.961s |
| 6 | P. Acosta | KTM | 1'29.021s |
| 7 | F. Morbidelli | DUC | 1'29.071s |
| 8 | J. Martin | APR | 1'29.167s |
| 9 | F. Di Giannantonio | DUC | 1'29.173s |
| 10 | J. Mir | HON | 1'29.296s |
| 11 | R. Fernandez | APR | 1'29.302s |
| 12 | B. Binder | KTM | 1'29.392s |
| 13 | L. Marini | HON | 1'29.451s |
| 14 | M. Viñales | KTM | 1'29.569s |
| 15 | J. Zarco | HON | 1'29.608s |
| 16 | J. Miller | YAM | 1'29.672s |
| 17 | F. Quartararo | YAM | 1'29.701s |
| 18 | E. Bastianini | KTM | 1'29.728s |
| 19 | D. Moreira | HON | 1'29.920s |
| 20 | A. Rins | YAM | 1'30.122s |
| 21 | T. Razgatlioglu | YAM | 1'30.772s |
| 22 | M. Pirro | DUC | 1'31.777s |
