Why Toprak Razgatlioglu isn’t satisfied with his...

Toprak Razgatlioglu might have scored his first level in MotoGP, however he was removed from glad along with his efficiency at the USA Grand Prix.

Competing in simply his third weekend in MotoGP after his high-profile transfer from the World Superbike Championship over the winter, Razgatlioglu outgunned all his Yamaha stablemates in Austin to complete fifteenth on Sunday.

The Turk spent a lot of the race behind manufacturing unit rider Fabio Quartararo in sixteenth place, however his superior tyre administration expertise allowed him to overhaul the 2021 champion with three laps remaining.

The end result opened up the factors tally for Pramac in 2026, whereas additionally making certain Yamaha didn’t go away the Austin weekend empty-handed.

It additionally continued an encouraging begin to life for MotoGP in Razgatlioglu, who confirmed glimpses of velocity within the early flyaway rounds, together with a direct Q2 look on the returning Brazilian GP.

Whereas the 29-year-old took confidence from his maiden factors end in MotoGP, a 25-second deficit to race winner Marco Bezzecchi left him frightened concerning the scale of problem Yamaha faces to shut the hole to the entrance.

“I am comfortable, however not likely. We did an excellent job at Yamaha, however normally, over 25 seconds [behind], this isn’t actually good. We have to enhance extra,” Razgatlioglu mentioned.

“However within the race, I used to be attempting to do my greatest, like at all times. “Particularly to start with, I used to be attempting to cross Fabio. However Fabio was actually robust, particularly within the corner-to-last.

“I don’t perceive how his bike is stopping as a result of my entrance tyre was at all times locking on the brake. I am not attempting to brake later, as a result of the bike was not stopping. However, in the long run, his tyre additionally began to drop. 

“It isn’t unhealthy, nevertheless it’s very troublesome, as a result of this observe could be very troublesome for all riders. As a result of after 12-14 laps, you actually really feel the bike, like a boatwing, getting extra heavy.

“However, anyway, for me, I get the purpose. That is good. I realized lots, as a result of I adopted Fabio for a lot of laps.”

Razgatlioglu admitted that being the highest Yamaha didn’t supply him a lot comfort on a day when the 4 M1s occupied the ultimate positions within the classification.

“Sure, I completed in entrance of [Quartararo], however nonetheless we’re collectively. This isn’t good, as a result of we solely have Yamahas on the again. 

“I am not likely comfortable. Okay, I am the primary Yamaha, however this does not change, as a result of we lose lots – 25 seconds.”

Though Yamaha has been enduring a troublesome part in MotoGP for a number of years, a daring choice to modify to a brand new V4 engine in 2026 has left it additional behind its rivals.

Razgatlioglu mentioned he’s not sure when Yamaha will be capable to turn out to be aggressive once more within the championship.

“Yamaha is pushing so laborious to enhance extra. We are going to see after we enhance lots. Possibly on the finish of the yr, I do not know, possibly within the center, possibly subsequent yr, however we’ll see,” he mentioned.

Following an prolonged break as a result of postponement of the Qatar GP, the MotoGP paddock will reconvene at Jerez on 24-26 April.

Razgatlioglu accomplished a non-public MotoGP check on the Spanish venue final month, however admitted he nonetheless has to overlook his muscle reminiscence to finish his adaptation from WSBK.

“Jerez could be very troublesome, as a result of final time I raced there in superbike. With the GP bike, I did a check, however the driving fashion and the bike are fully completely different. You have to hold extra velocity contained in the nook. 

“We are going to see on Friday. I hope I rapidly adapt to this fashion, as a result of within the check I used to be nonetheless  driving in superbike fashion.” 

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– The Motorsport.com Crew