Toprak Razgatlioglu Identifies the Key to Unlocking His Full MotoGP Potential

Toprak Razgatlioglu, 2026 Italian MotoGP 

Pramac Yamaha rider Toprak Razgatlioglu believes improved engine braking is the missing piece in his adaptation to MotoGP and the Yamaha YZR-M1.

Toprak Razgatlioglu believes he has identified the key factor that could help him unlock his full potential in MotoGP with Yamaha. Following the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, the Pramac Yamaha rider explained that engine braking characteristics are currently the most important aspect of his adaptation process to the Yamaha YZR-M1. According to him, this element plays a crucial role in allowing him to ride the motorcycle in a style similar to the one that brought him major success in the Superbike World Championship.

The three-time WorldSBK champion explained that he needs stronger engine braking feedback to maximize his performance when entering corners. Throughout his Superbike career, Razgatlioglu relied heavily on aggressive engine braking to slow the motorcycle. With less engine braking available in MotoGP, he feels unable to use the front tyre as effectively and cannot stop the bike exactly as he would like.

Although he finished 15th after receiving a one-position penalty for exceeding track limits on the final lap, the result itself was not his primary concern. For the Turkish rider, understanding the motorcycle and finding technical solutions that accelerate his adaptation to MotoGP are far more important. He emphasized that finishing positions are currently secondary as long as he continues making progress from race to race.

Razgatlioglu admitted that he experienced significant improvements throughout the Mugello weekend. Working closely with his crew chief and technical team, he discovered setup changes that made the bike feel much better than before. The improvements were particularly noticeable under braking and during high-speed corner entry.

He explained that the morning session before the race provided a very positive feeling because the motorcycle responded differently compared to previous weekends. At that point, he felt more comfortable and able to ride naturally. However, during the race, several issues that had seemed resolved reappeared and affected his overall performance.

In addition to engine braking concerns, Razgatlioglu also struggled with race starts. He pointed to the clutch characteristics, which he still considers too sensitive, causing him to lose positions once again during the opening phase of the race. Afterward, he faced the difficult task of chasing KTM riders, who appeared to have a significant advantage on Mugello’s long straights.

According to Razgatlioglu, KTM motorcycles were extremely difficult to overtake because of their superior top speed. Even when he managed to close the gap under braking and through corners, his rivals would pull away again as soon as they accelerated onto the straights. This significantly limited his overtaking opportunities.

Once he found a stronger race rhythm, Razgatlioglu managed to close in on Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli. He even felt he had the pace to challenge Morbidelli if he had not lost valuable time because of several technical issues during the race. One of the problems he highlighted involved the start device, which did not function properly and contributed to wheel locking during the early stages.

The 29-year-old rider also believes he was faster than Quartararo in several sectors of the circuit. However, he struggled to find an overtaking opportunity because Quartararo was particularly strong in the opening sector. As a result, Razgatlioglu spent several laps following his fellow Yamaha rider, which eventually caused his rear tyre temperature to rise significantly.

Despite the disappointing result at Mugello, Razgatlioglu sees several encouraging signs in his recent progress. He believes Yamaha and the Pramac team are beginning to understand the technical changes required for him to perform at his best in MotoGP. Rather than focusing on immediate results, his priority remains refining the motorcycle’s characteristics—especially engine braking, which he considers the key to unlocking his full potential in the premier class.

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