Jorge Lorenzo still seeking engine step from Yamaha

Jorge Lorenzo reckons Yamaha still needs to work on improving engine performance and rear grip despite the reigning world champion making an impressive start to the 2011 testing campaign in Sepang today.

The Spaniard, who won nine races last season to take Valentino Rossi’s crown, set the second quickest time at a typically hot and humid Sepang circuit with a best time of 2.01.997 only bettered by Aussie Casey Stoner in the final 30-minutes of today’s action.

Lorenzo said he was happy with a new electronics and chassis package but told MCN that he still felt improvements needed to be made with Yamaha’s in-line four-cylinder motor ahead of the first race in Qatar on March 20.

The triple world champion said: “I used the second spec engine of 2010. So it has much more power than the old one. If we compare the M1 to the 2007 version for sure it is much more powerful but if I compare the engines I’m trying now to the second spec of last year, there is not so much difference. We need to find some more acceleration and power in general and the traction. The braking and corner speed is really good. The 2011 bike also has less wheelie, so we can open the throttle more to exit the corner and in some corners we have better corner speed.”

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