Image: Supplied.

The all-new Petronas Yamaha SRT outfit made it’s official entry into the MotoGP paddock this week at Valencia’s post-season test in Spain, with riders Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo sampling the Yamaha YZR-M1 for the first time.

Morbidelli, who just completed his rookie MotoGP campaign, immediately gelled with the Yamaha, which was evident through his quick-time of 1m32.085s, ranking him sixth on the result sheets.

“It has been a great first day,” said Morbidelli. “I felt good with the bike as soon as I got in it and the connection with the team is really good. I managed to get some laps in this afternoon that were solid and fast.

“I have more time to find in my riding, as I get to know the bike and understand its strengths and weaknesses, to get the most out of this test. I have been surprised how smooth the Yamaha is to ride and how easy it is to understand.”

Moto2 graduate Quartararo enjoyed his first 38 laps in MotoGP with a best-lap of 1m33.850s, placing the teenager in 23rd position while being the third fastest rookie.

“The first day of the test has gone really well,” Quartararo stated. “It was a shame we didn’t get to do more laps because of the conditions, which weren’t the best, but I am happy because each time I went out onto the track I improved. So far in the middle of the corner and the exit we are quite strong but I am losing time in braking.

“The team are encouraging me to believe in the brakes because at the start you think you’re not going to be able to get stopped but in the end you can do it and I enjoyed that. The most impressive thing about my first outing on the Yamaha was the power, especially on the first straight, and also the brakes. Hopefully we can have good conditions tomorrow because we want to work on braking and improving the feeling.”

The duo will return to the circuit today along with full MotoGP contingent for day two of the official test.