https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/1...aha-update-coming-make-his-motogp-step-easier Didn’t bmw develop the same for him in wsb? I’m sure I remember a piece on TNT
All well and good so long as his suggested modifications work for the other 3 riders as well and not just him. BMW made that mistake. Andy
If it means winning races with A rider (be that Toprak Fabio or anyone else) I’m not sure they’d give a hoot would they?
Fairly common concern/observation that “Toprak won’t be able to brake in moto gp like he does in wsb”. Well there’s one of the reasons why, because the bike isn’t built to allow him to at least try and they’re attempting to fix that.
Won't they be blowing smoke up Fabio's rear to keep him happy, and at Yamaha and giving Toprak the scraps as it were....
As, I believe, have most people but if Toprak can transfer his ‘generational WSBK talent’ into MotoGP, all bets are off. The limiting factor will still be the Yamaha engine which, if the engineers cannot turn the wick up whilst maintaining reliability, will be a disappointment. Andy
I think it unlikely that Toprak will do much better than mid pack. Even that would be a very good performance for a rookie year, then factor in the bike. I think the factory are much more likely to bet on Fabio at least for the start of the season. I do hope that TR does come out all guns blazing though!!
He’s only got to beat miller and rins and I think it’ll be considered a successful season. Maybe Moreira too although he’ll have the far better package and dare I say better team as a rookie. Beating Fabio would be the icing on the cake and he only finished 9th this season.
Does anyone seriously expect him to win the world title at any point though? I certainly don’t but the fact he’s not Spanish/italian or a passport rider makes things a lot more interesting going into next year.
And as much as I give miller grief for falling off motorbikes (a lot) i think he’s going to be the perfect teammate for TR. Cant wait, just need the Thais and Cambodians to cease their willy waving competition before 27/2/26 now.
According to various gossip sites, Toprak took a salary cut to get a MotoGP ride. But who knows? I have to imagine he is expecting to do better than his team mates by mid to end of season.
He was on two million a year plus in WSB, plus sponsorship deals. I would bet everything I own he’s not on that at Pramac.
No idea tbh but I bet he’s not getting paid more than Miller (who seems to have a golden ticket) or Rins on the other factory bike. Millers on 4m a year!!
Which means Toprak believes he will be able to be at least mid pack within a season. Otherwise he is giving up his BMW salary & status for nothing. These guys claim to know all the riders salaries, but its just as likely to be nonsense mixed with gossip https://www.salaryleaks.com/motogp/toprak-razgatlioglu
I've got two trains of thought with Toprak in GP : 1) He's a generational talent, like MM93 or Acosta, and he'll redesign his own riding to suit a GP bike and be up there as far as the Yamaha can be within a few rounds. He'll certainly help ticket sales if he does, and Dorna/Liberty will know this, so gear things to ensure he's not just rolling around at the back 2) GP is a big step up from WSBK, and as much as he's been absolutely unreal on a production bike, GP bikes are a very different game - Think significantly longer and like to be in line, and need the rear wheel on the ground to make them work on corner entry I can't seem him bringing to the likes of MM or Acosta, but it would be great to see him fighting up at the sharpest end the Yamaha can manage, and having FQ as a reference will be great to see just how good a job he can do However, 2027 and the Pirelli's might be a whole different game as the front end feel seems to suit his style, and from what everyone says, the Michelin front is basically numb
