{"id":1868249,"date":"2026-04-06T10:09:41","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T07:09:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1868249"},"modified":"2026-04-06T10:09:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T07:09:41","slug":"what-the-hell-am-i-doing-here-yamaha-motogp-struggles-getting-to-one-rider","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1868249","title":{"rendered":"\u201cWhat the hell am I doing here?\u201d: Yamaha MotoGP struggles getting to one rider"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1303159_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>\u201cWhat the hell am I doing here?\u201d: Yamaha MotoGP struggles getting to one rider<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>US MotoGP struggles left one Yamaha rider questioning himself<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Lewis Duncan <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-04-06T13:43:23+00:00\">Updated: 06 Apr 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1303159_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1303159_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1303159_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1303159_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1303159_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1303159_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1303159_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1303159_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1303159_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Alex Rins, Yamaha Factory Racing, 2026 US MotoGP<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0Gold and Goose<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source-cta\">  Add as a preferred source <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Alex Rins admits he felt \u201cuseless\u201d on his Yamaha during the US Grand Prix weekend, leading to the MotoGP race winner to question \u201cwhat the hell am I doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Yamaha is in the middle of a rebuild as it evolves its new V4 project at the start of the 2026 MotoGP season.<\/p>\n<p>But the Japanese brand is already in crisis, with leading rider Fabio Quartararo deciding pre-season to leave for Honda next year, while after three rounds it has just nine points in the constructors\u2019 standings.<\/p>\n<p>The recent US Grand Prix continued Yamaha\u2019s troubles, as all four riders occupied the final four places in the classification.<\/p>\n<p>Alex Rins qualified last at COTA and finished last in the grand prix, 38.701s from the win but also over 10 seconds from the next Yamaha in front of him, which was team-mate Quartararo.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Cutting a dejected figure after the grand prix, Rins spoke of the technical issues he battled throughout the US Grand Prix weekend.<\/p>\n<p>But these issues, coupled with the M1\u2019s poor form, left his motivation in tatters.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-15748b9df6ac5951809e82b95fc2b3c651b054640502b662959a63b2fb8b9bb4\">  Why Fabio Quartararo wants Yamaha to see that it is slow at Jerez   Fabio Quartararo\u2019s sobering Yamaha claim: \u2018They\u2019ve no idea how to fix the problems\u2019 <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cSeeing all four Yamahas in the back of the pack isn\u2019t great,\u201d he said at COTA, as reported by <em>GPOne.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s not that I was exactly surprised, but I said to myself, \u2018Wow, we\u2019re all here?\u2019<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUp until the eighth lap, the bike wouldn\u2019t respond when I opened the throttle coming out of Turns 1 and 11.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-d5d097d3cdf19195799f796eed1eabe578f4c2bf59fc90401abaff142b259d30\">  Fabio Quartararo explains Brazil MotoGP slump from surprise second row   Alex Rins: A piece of tarmac hit my finger in Brazil MotoGP <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cIt was fine on some laps; on others, I felt this problem.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He added: \u201cDuring my second run in pre-qualifying, the bike wasn\u2019t working.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was going wide at every corner. I couldn\u2019t turn, change direction, or do anything, and I felt useless on the bike.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI said to myself, \u2018What the hell am I doing here?\u2019 There are moments when I\u2019m not enjoying myself, and I ended up asking myself, \u2018What are we doing?\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Rins\u2019 comments come after team-mate Quartararo told French television at COTA that Yamaha doesn\u2019t know how to fix any of the problems it has with the V4 M1.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>During the Thai Grand Prix weekend, after the brand pulled its riders from race day media duties, Yamaha boss Paolo Pavesio said that the marque has a \u201cmountain to climb\u201d.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our MotoGP Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest MotoGP news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>In this article<\/h2>\n<div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Alex Rins<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-next-prev\">\n<div class=\"next-prev-pager contextual-region\">\n<div class=\"items\">\n<div class=\"item prev\">\n<h3>  Previous<\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Michelin always doubted early Aprilia MotoGP tyre advantage claims<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304044_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304044_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304044_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304044_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304044_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304044_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304044_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304044_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304044_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-block block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<div class=\"author-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-6a2f16c118ad3ccb07db85ae0317a3d0eff91e83d17ba2d644debccd2c0f55d9\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/unnamed%20%2826%29.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/unnamed%20%2826%29.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/unnamed%20%2826%29.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"name\">Lewis Duncan<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">Head of Editorial<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<div>Lewis joined the Crash.net team in August of 2024 having been a journalist for five years covering MotoGP for the Motorsport Network. In February of 2026, he became Head of Editorial.\u00a0<\/div>\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container block block-views-blockrelated-content-related-content-block\">\n<h3>More News<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-cadfc3775116526434550a49958c3af8f19ef9eea1054f4025dbd314d0b231c1\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Jorge Martin still convinced by Yamaha MotoGP decision despite Brazil podium<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774211851\"> 22\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/gng_1299819_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Jorge Martin, 2026 MotoGP Brazilian Grand Prix, parc ferme. Credit: Gold and Goose.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Fabio Quartararo: \u2018Overtaking Marc Marquez in Brazilian MotoGP Sprint means a lot, I haven\u2019t lost it\u2019<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774132437\"> 21\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/gng_1298855_hires_1600x900.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Fabio Quartararo, Marc Marquez, 2026 Brazilian MotoGP Sprint.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Yamaha admit MotoGP V4 project has \u201ca mountain to climb\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1773041447\"> 09\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/gng_1294867_hires_1600x900.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Fabio Quartararo, 2026 Thai MotoGP\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Alex Rins reveals Thai MotoGP heart rate data: \u201cThis is what giving 100% looks like\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1772528617\"> 03\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/gng_1292973_hires_1600x900.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Alex Rins, Andrea Dovizioso, Buriram 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  Feature <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Analysis: Toprak closes the gap, but Yamaha V4 a step behind at Thai MotoGP<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1772522670\"> 03\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/toprak-1.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Toprak Razgatlioglu, 2026 Thai MotoGP.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Just how bad was Yamaha at the 2026 Thai MotoGP?<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1772367643\"> 01\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/gng_1293981_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing, 2026 Thai MotoGP\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col second-column\">\n<div class=\"sticky\">\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our MotoGP Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info\">\n<p>Get the latest MotoGP news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>US MotoGP struggles left one Yamaha rider questioning himself<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Alex Rins admits he felt \u201cuseless\u201d on his Yamaha during the US Grand Prix weekend, leading to the MotoGP race winner to question \u201cwhat the hell am I doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Yamaha is in the middle of a rebuild as it evolves its new V4 project at the start of the 2026 MotoGP season.<\/p>\n<p>But the Japanese brand is already in crisis, with leading rider Fabio Quartararo deciding pre-season to leave for Honda next year, while after three rounds it has just nine points in the constructors\u2019 standings.<\/p>\n<p>The recent US Grand Prix continued Yamaha\u2019s troubles, as all four riders occupied the final four places in the classification.<\/p>\n<p>Alex Rins qualified last at COTA and finished last in the grand prix, 38.701s from the win but also over 10 seconds from the next Yamaha in front of him, which was team-mate Quartararo.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Cutting a dejected figure after the grand prix, Rins spoke of the technical issues he battled throughout the US Grand Prix weekend.<\/p>\n<p>But these issues, coupled with the M1\u2019s poor form, left his motivation in tatters.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-15748b9df6ac5951809e82b95fc2b3c651b054640502b662959a63b2fb8b9bb4\">  Why Fabio Quartararo wants Yamaha to see that it is slow at Jerez   Fabio Quartararo\u2019s sobering Yamaha claim: \u2018They\u2019ve no idea how to fix the problems\u2019 <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cSeeing all four Yamahas in the back of the pack isn\u2019t great,\u201d he said at COTA, as reported by <em>GPOne.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s not that I was exactly surprised, but I said to myself, \u2018Wow, we\u2019re all here?\u2019<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUp until the eighth lap, the bike wouldn\u2019t respond when I opened the throttle coming out of Turns 1 and 11.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-d5d097d3cdf19195799f796eed1eabe578f4c2bf59fc90401abaff142b259d30\">  Fabio Quartararo explains Brazil MotoGP slump from surprise second row   Alex Rins: A piece of tarmac hit my finger in Brazil MotoGP <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cIt was fine on some laps; on others, I felt this problem.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He added: \u201cDuring my second run in pre-qualifying, the bike wasn\u2019t working.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was going wide at every corner. I couldn\u2019t turn, change direction, or do anything, and I felt useless on the bike.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI said to myself, \u2018What the hell am I doing here?\u2019 There are moments when I\u2019m not enjoying myself, and I ended up asking myself, \u2018What are we doing?\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Rins\u2019 comments come after team-mate Quartararo told French television at COTA that Yamaha doesn\u2019t know how to fix any of the problems it has with the V4 M1.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>During the Thai Grand Prix weekend, after the brand pulled its riders from race day media duties, Yamaha boss Paolo Pavesio said that the marque has a \u201cmountain to climb\u201d.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our MotoGP Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest MotoGP news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Alex Rins admits he felt \u201cuseless\u201d on his Yamaha during the US Grand Prix weekend, leading to the MotoGP race winner to question \u201cwhat the hell am I doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Yamaha is in the middle of a rebuild as it evolves its new V4 project at the start of the 2026 MotoGP season.<\/p>\n<p>But the Japanese brand is already in crisis, with leading rider Fabio Quartararo deciding pre-season to leave for Honda next year, while after three rounds it has just nine points in the constructors\u2019 standings.<\/p>\n<p>The recent US Grand Prix continued Yamaha\u2019s troubles, as all four riders occupied the final four places in the classification.<\/p>\n<p>Alex Rins qualified last at COTA and finished last in the grand prix, 38.701s from the win but also over 10 seconds from the next Yamaha in front of him, which was team-mate Quartararo.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Cutting a dejected figure after the grand prix, Rins spoke of the technical issues he battled throughout the US Grand Prix weekend.<\/p>\n<p>But these issues, coupled with the M1\u2019s poor form, left his motivation in tatters.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-15748b9df6ac5951809e82b95fc2b3c651b054640502b662959a63b2fb8b9bb4\">  Why Fabio Quartararo wants Yamaha to see that it is slow at Jerez   Fabio Quartararo\u2019s sobering Yamaha claim: \u2018They\u2019ve no idea how to fix the problems\u2019 <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cSeeing all four Yamahas in the back of the pack isn\u2019t great,\u201d he said at COTA, as reported by <em>GPOne.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s not that I was exactly surprised, but I said to myself, \u2018Wow, we\u2019re all here?\u2019<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUp until the eighth lap, the bike wouldn\u2019t respond when I opened the throttle coming out of Turns 1 and 11.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-d5d097d3cdf19195799f796eed1eabe578f4c2bf59fc90401abaff142b259d30\">  Fabio Quartararo explains Brazil MotoGP slump from surprise second row   Alex Rins: A piece of tarmac hit my finger in Brazil MotoGP <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cIt was fine on some laps; on others, I felt this problem.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He added: \u201cDuring my second run in pre-qualifying, the bike wasn\u2019t working.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was going wide at every corner. I couldn\u2019t turn, change direction, or do anything, and I felt useless on the bike.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI said to myself, \u2018What the hell am I doing here?\u2019 There are moments when I\u2019m not enjoying myself, and I ended up asking myself, \u2018What are we doing?\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Rins\u2019 comments come after team-mate Quartararo told French television at COTA that Yamaha doesn\u2019t know how to fix any of the problems it has with the V4 M1.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>During the Thai Grand Prix weekend, after the brand pulled its riders from race day media duties, Yamaha boss Paolo Pavesio said that the marque has a \u201cmountain to climb\u201d.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our MotoGP Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest MotoGP news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/motogp\/news\/1092886\/1\/what-hell-am-i-doing-here-yamaha-motogp-struggles-getting-one-rider&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1303159_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] \u201cWhat the hell am I doing here?\u201d: Yamaha MotoGP struggles getting to one rider US MotoGP struggles left one Yamaha rider questioning himself Lewis Duncan Updated: 06 Apr 2026 Share Alex Rins, Yamaha Factory Racing, 2026 US MotoGP \u00a9\u00a0Gold and Goose Add as a preferred source Alex Rins admits he felt \u201cuseless\u201d [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-1868249","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1868249","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1868249"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1868249\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1868249"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1868249"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1868249"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}