Yamaha rider Andrea Locatelli's WorldSBK performance has been a source of frustration for the Pata Yamaha team, according to team principal Paul Denning. Despite finishing fourth in the championship last year and winning a race at Assen, Locatelli's recent form has been underwhelming.
During the Phillip Island World Superbike test, Locatelli admitted to feeling uncomfortable on the Yamaha R1. This was further evidenced by his 15th-place finish on Friday in Australia, four places and 0.2 seconds behind his teammate Xavi Vierge, who is new to the team and bike this year. Denning described the situation as 'a little bit frustrating for everybody, including the rider'.
Denning acknowledged that Locatelli's performance hasn't improved since Monday morning, despite the team's efforts. He attributed this to the lack of rhythm and small details that haven't been addressed due to limited running over the winter. Locatelli, known for his strong rhythm, has struggled to find his pace on the Yamaha.
Denning also noted that the Yamaha R1 responds to being over-ridden, requiring more than 100% effort from the rider. He suggested that Locatelli's confidence might be slightly lower than usual, which could be impacting his performance. The team's goal is for Locatelli to catch up to Vierge's level and improve his overall performance.
In contrast, Vierge has been a bright spot for the team, finishing in the top-10 during FP2 on his first proper day as a Yamaha rider. Denning praised Vierge's positive attitude, stating that he enjoys the bike and the team, and is having a good time, despite it being only his second track on the bike.
Alex, a recent addition to the Crash.net team, covered consumer and racing motorcycle news at Visordown for two years before joining the team in August 2024.
