Yamaha Reveal New R1 a Bold step into bringing them back to the Top of the Grid

Yamaha Unveil Updated R1: A Bold Step Into a New WorldSBK Era

Yamaha has unveiled an updated version of their R1 WorldSBK machine, signaling what they describe as “a new era” for their iconic bike. The reveal took place ahead of the Acerbis Italian Round at the Cremona Circuit, with Yamaha introducing significant aerodynamic and mechanical changes aimed at enhancing performance in the competitive MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship.

The most noticeable update is the addition of aerodynamic wings, a feature increasingly common among their rivals. These wings are designed to generate additional downforce, improving stability under braking, corner entry, and corner exit while minimizing wheelies. Andrea Dosoli, Yamaha Motor Europe Road Racing and R&D Manager, shared insights into the bike's new features: “The production bike generates a bit of downforce, stabilizes the bike, and enhances front-end feel. This will allow riders to better exploit the power of the crossplane engine while improving handling and braking performance.”

Credit: WorldSBK

Yamaha plans to race the upgraded R1 for the final four rounds of the 2024 season, gathering critical data to refine the bike further for 2025. Dosoli emphasized the importance of this step: “This new model will help not only on the world stage but also at a national level where modifications are limited. We believe this is the first step toward closing the gap with our competitors.”

Riccardo Tisci, Yamaha WorldSBK Technical Coordinator, echoed this optimism. Speaking during Friday's FP1 session, he highlighted the technical focus behind the upgrades: “The new parts aim to increase downforce for better corner speed and less wheelie, while maintaining a good balance between handling and drag. This is just the beginning of a new era for the R1, and we are confident in the bike’s development trajectory.”

Credit: WorldSBK

While the R1 has struggled to keep pace with its rivals earlier this season, the updated machine offers renewed hope for Yamaha. When asked if the team could now challenge their competitors more effectively, Tisci responded cautiously but optimistically: “I hope so, but the main goal is to improve with every race and start the 2025 season in strong shape.”

As Yamaha ushers in a new chapter for the R1, all eyes will be on the remaining races of the season to see how the machine performs against its fierce competition.