Fabio Quartararo says four MotoGP pre-season test days are sufficient despite changing manufacturer and adapting to Pirelli tyres for 2027.
The reduced MotoGP pre-season testing schedule for 2027 means riders changing teams, and rookies new to the premier class, will have less track time to adapt than in the past.
Rookies will have two fewer days of testing available, with the Sepang Shakedown and Official Test both cut from three days to two.
Meanwhile, existing riders – not eligible for the Shakedown – will see their pre-season shortened from five days to four, following the one-day outing for all riders at Valencia in December.
The changes come despite MotoGP undergoing major technical changes for 2027, with smaller 850cc engines and a switch from Michelin to Pirelli tyres.
Some, including Pecco Bagnaia, have already raised concerns over the small sample of riders allowed to try next year’s bikes and tyres at the Brno test. A second test will take place after Austria, with the line-up still to be confirmed.
Bagnaia said earlier this season: “I understand not trying the 850 because it’s normal [as I’m leaving Ducati].
"But arriving at the 1st of December, without even testing the Pirellis before, then riding the bikes for one day at Valencia: You will start at 11 and finish at 3pm [due to the cold weather].
“So not much time. It’s a bit strange because you won’t understand the tyres, you won’t have anything to ask Pirelli. So I think it’s not the best idea.”
Playing catch-up on Pirelli knowledge certainly won't be helped by the newly announced reduction in winter testing.
However, speaking at Aragon, fellow former champion Fabio Quartararo, who is also changing team and manufacturer with a move from Yamaha to Honda, insisted he was not concerned by a shorter pre-season.
“We’ll have two days in Sepang and two in Thailand. I think having four days is enough time to adapt. I don’t think it will be such a big thing [to lose one day],” Quartararo said at Aragon.
“The experience you take during a test is one thing, but you need the race weekends.
“It looks similar in riding [the bike], but it’s a bit different when you’re in a race weekend, where you have to overtake, brake, change direction [with the other bikes around you].
“This is something I’ll have to take confidence from during a race weekend.”
