Yamaha have boldly insisted that they are at the “beginning of a ꦺfightback”﷽ in MotoGP.

The Japanese manufacturer endured a horrible 2023 and now are faced with convincing star rider Fabio Quartararo to stick around beyoꦦnd the e൩xpiration of his contract, at the end of this year.

But the earl𓄧y signs during preseason testing suggest that Yamaha are newly focused.

“It’s the beginning of a new period,” team principal Lin Jarviꦑs said.

“We need to recover, I’d say.

“Last year was a very difficult ye⛄ar for us. Just a couple of years before, we were the champion.

“Then we were second. Last ye🍃ဣar we really struggled, it was really difficult.

“It was clear and obvious that, in order to be competitive, we need to change m🌄an▨y things.

“We 𓃲started in the middle ofܫ last season with restructuring.

“New ideas, new partners, new collaborations…

“And changing our internal organisation, as well.

“The shakedown test, and the firs🌸t test [in Sepang] was t🔯he first time we’ve brought it all together.

“We know it won’t be instant but it’s the b♏eginning of a 🦋fightback.”

The addition of Alex Rins, instead of 🌌Franco Morbidelli, alongside Quartararo gives Yamaha a fresh duo.

Quartararo has alr🃏eady commented on the improved communication with his new teamma𒁃te.

“Wh𒁃at💙 pleases me is that instantly there is a very good chemistry between them,” Jarvis said.

“I have the feeling that they will collaborate together, they appreciate eac🃏h other, and they’❀re on the same mission.

“They understand ꧂🌊that they have to work together with us. We have to do whatever we can, to come back.

“Alex is one of the fastest riders in MotoGP.

“He has been a little incoꩵnsistent in the past but, in the past couple of seasons on a Suzuki and a Honda, heꦜ has been winning races.

“Fabio, we know his capacity, being the champion🍎 in ‘21.

“We have a gre꧂at combination. They are on a mission.

“I am optimistic that we shouldඣ work well together.”

But Yamaha know they have a long way to 💜go to overhaul the dominant Ducatis.

“I am positive, optimistic, because I have seen the changeꦏs. I know the changes that we’re making,” Jarvis insisted.

“I’m al൲so not unrealistic. There is no quick recovery.

“To arrive in the situation where we were - being uncompetitive - is 🌊a gradual process.

“We need to not make it ♛a gradual process to recover.

“We do not underestimate the leveဣl of our competitors.

“Look at Ducati, at KTM…

“It’s not ea꧅sy, it’s a super competitive series. We h෴ave made good changes.

“We need to speed up, more than anything, the w🔯ay that we work.

“The challenge is on us. We have to deliver.”

The addition of ex-Ducati engineer Massimo Bartolini as new Yamaha technical director is considered a major coup for Jarꦯvis’ team.

A new engine has been tested during preseason and, although it’s not without problems, Yamꦰaha hope it gives Quartararo and Rins a fighting chance.