MotoGP Sepang test times – Day 2

Ducati GP24 riders display fearsome pace, promising signs continue for Yamaha

The second day of the 2025 Sepang MotoGP test saw better conditions and fewer incidents after a crash-heavy first day. With higher track temperatures than day 1, most teams focused on refining setups rather than ultimate pace.

Franco Morbidelli topped the timesheets on his VR46 Ducati, ahead of Fabio Quartararo and Álex Márquez. Fermín Aldeguer impressed in fourth, continuing his strong adaptation to MotoGP. Ducati riders dominated, with three GP24s in the top four, though the GP24 riders don’t have as heavy a test schedule with that machine already well refined. The factory Ducati riders assessed the GP25 engine, which reportedly has a better top speed but doesn’t perform as well when braking into corners. The engine choice is particularly critical, with an upcoming engine development freeze forcing the manufacturers to stick with whatever configuration they settle on for the next two years. Both Marc Marquez and Bagnaia had minor tumbles which slowed their progress.

Following Aprilia’s disastrous day 1, test rider Lorenzo Savadori had to take over test duties from the injured Jorge Martín. Marco Bezzecchi showed steady progress, focusing on electronics to harness Aprilia’s power more effectively.

Yamaha and Honda worked extensively on electronics and acceleration improvements, with Joan Mir continuing Honda’s encouraging start, despite running out of fuel on a fast lap. There appear to be some green shoots of progress at last in the Honda garage, with Mir sounding notably more positive.

Jack Miller finished the day in 10th as he continues to adapt to his 2025 spec YZR-M1, testing various maps and electronic configurations throughout the day, but was happy with the team’s progress so far.

KTM tested a rear-mounted device to counter vibration issues, but still appear to be struggling for pace.

More riders are likely to attempt time attacks on the final day, which will provide a clearer picture of the competitive order before the Buriram Test later this month.

Franco Morbidelli – “It has been a great day! I have fantastic feelings on the bike and with the team. We worked a lot, trying to improve all these things we feel that I’m missing. We made many changes on the bike in order to understand the right directions. The day went well and starting like that is a great thing for all the team. We are working a lot on the setup to fine-tune my feelings on the bike, we’ll try to improve the time attack, and we keep working on some solutions to understand which moves are the right ones during the season. There’s a great atmosphere inside the garage and it’s what the team deserves”.

Fabio Quartararo – “We are working a lot on grip, and we are trying to understand how much we can gain. We are heading in the right direction, and hopefully tomorrow we can find a bit more. I think every rider has his own riding style, and we will all have our own evaluation of the testing items and our own preferences. Today, I also tried the Michelin tyres, which were okay. So, let’s see what tomorrow will bring. I’m enjoying riding. We are trying many things at the same time. This makes setting a lap time harder, because you don’t have ‘your bike’, specifically set-up like you want it, but the team and I can be satisfied with the work we are doing.”

Alex Marquez – “It would be perfect to already tomorrow be in the race of Thailand. That would be perfect. But, I mean, still they will improve. The factory [Ducati team], for sure, they were trying many pieces. So, we are doing a good job, we are fast, we are solid, but with the feet on the ground because there’s still a lot of pre-season left. With the ’23 I was not able to perform on braking point, and especially I had a lot of weight on the front, pushing from the rear. This bike is more born for this rear tyre, this bike is done for this rear tyre and it’s something easier to go into the corner and feel the balance of the bike. With the ride height device in some accelerations you feel a little bit more, you can put a little bit more of torque because you have a little bit less front wheelie. In some tracks, especially Thailand Turn 3, it will be a good boost. But, if all that you can win is 0.003s, it’s always welcome.”

Jack Miller – “I feel more and more comfortable every time I go out on track. We have been busy these days trying out new parts, the guys have been busy working hard every night to build new bikes with everything Yamaha has brought us, and I want to thank them for their massive job. We’ll try to find a bit more tomorrow to close the gap.”