• Bikes for Sale
  • News
  • Buyer’s guide
    • Buy a Motorcycle
    • First Rides & Reviews
    • Specs, Prices & Others
  • Lifestyle
    • Concepts & Custom
    • Electric Motorcycles
    • Events
    • Motorsport
    • Tips & Stories
    • Travel
  • Locals
imotorbike logo
  • Bikes for Sale
  • News
  • Buyer’s guide
    • Buy a Motorcycle
    • First Rides & Reviews
    • Specs, Prices & Others
  • Lifestyle
    • Concepts & Custom
    • Electric Motorcycles
    • Events
    • Motorsport
    • Tips & Stories
    • Travel
  • Locals
  • Facebook

  • Instagram

  • X (Twitter)

  • YouTube

  • LinkedIn

  • RSS

Motorsport

MotoGP – Yamaha fires the responsible for the development of the YZR-M1

MotoGP – Yamaha fires the responsible for the development of the YZR-M1
Bruno Gomes
January 22, 2019

Valentino Rossi with YZR-M1 | Photo credits: Otorace

The 2018 MotoGP season was anything but good for the factory Yamaha team, and while their riders Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi asked for help in improving the YZR-M1 prototype, Yamaha Racing couldn’t give them the performance upgrades they so desperately needed to fight against the likes of Repsol Honda Marc Marquez and Ducati Factory duo Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo.

Those poor result have now made their highest profile victim: Kouji Tsuya.

According to Paddock-GP.com website, the Iwata manufacturer has already fired Tsuya, who since two years ago has been the one person responsible for the development of their MotoGP prototype YZR-M1. Kouji Tsuya has taken the role of Project Leader when in the beginning of 2017 Masahiko Nakajima moved up to the role of president of Yamaha Motor Racing.

During his two years as Project Leader for Yamaha’s MotoGP effort, Kouji Tsuya was never able to solve the problems Viñales and Rossi felt with the YZR-M1, and he became famous – for the worst reasons – when during the Austrian GP in 2018 he publicly apologized to both riders for Yamaha Racing not being able to give them a competitive bike

“We have to say sorry to our riders for the lack of performance in acceleration. We are working harder than ever to find a solution”, said Tsuya at the time.

But it took Yamaha Racing a long time after that press conference in Austria to see one of their riders on the top spot of a MotoGP podium. Maverick Viñales took the win at the Australian GP in Phillip Island, ending a 25 race streak where Yamaha couldn’t get a single win.

Yamaha Racing hasn’t confirmed Kouji Tsuya was fired, but Paddock-GP.com goes on saying that the Japanese manufacturer has already picked Takahiro Sumi as the new MotoGP Project Leader. Sumi was, until now, the responsible for YZR-M1 chassis development.

We will need to wait until February 4 to see if in fact Yamaha Racing decided to do all these changes for 2019, since the new Monster Yamaha MotoGP factory team will be presented on a special event in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Related Items2019 seasonchangesdevelopmentfeaturedKouji TsuyaMaverick ViñalesmotogpProject Leaderprotoypevalentino rossiyamahaYamaha RacingYZR-M1
To read the full story
login with google
login with facebook
or
Create an account for free
This won't cost you.
by clicking this button you agree to iMotorbike's visitor agreement
Already have an account? Sign in here
Click here to get notified on every new article
Motorsport
January 22, 2019
Bruno Gomes

With more than ten years as a motorcycle journalist, i enjoy everything that has to do with two-wheels. I'm a fan of sport bikes and i prefer riding them on a racetrack, but give me a road filled with corners and good asphalt and i'll be there to have some fun!

Related Items2019 seasonchangesdevelopmentfeaturedKouji TsuyaMaverick ViñalesmotogpProject Leaderprotoypevalentino rossiyamahaYamaha RacingYZR-M1

More in Motorsport

Malaysia GP

MotoGP Confirms Full Pre-Season Schedule Ahead of 2026 Season Launch

Hazique ZairillOctober 9, 2025
Read More

Rabat and Lopes Geared Up for the Penultimate WorldSBK Round at Estoril

Amzar HazeeqOctober 8, 2025
Read More

PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Gears Up for Estoril with SSP Riders Toba and Norrodin

Amzar HazeeqOctober 8, 2025
Read More

Gardner and Aegerter Ready to End the WorldSBK Season on a High at Estoril

Amzar HazeeqOctober 8, 2025
Read More

Ryo Mizuno Joins JDT Racing Team as Wildcard for ARRC Sepang Round

Hazique ZairillOctober 8, 2025
Read More

Lawrence Brothers Lead Australia to MXoN Win

Michelle LiewOctober 7, 2025
Read More

Ducati Clinches Teams’ Title at Mandalika, Secures Third Triple Crown

Amzar HazeeqOctober 7, 2025
Read More

Marc Márquez to Miss MotoGP Rounds in Australia and Malaysia

Amzar HazeeqOctober 7, 2025
Read More

The MotoGP Bike That Hit 366 km/h — Ducati’s Record-Breaking Machine

Amzar HazeeqOctober 7, 2025
Read More

Explained: Why MotoGP Riders Stick Their Leg Out Before Corners

Amzar HazeeqOctober 7, 2025
Read More

Ducati and Garage 51 present the V2 Future Champ Ducati Academy

Amzar HazeeqOctober 6, 2025
Read More

Aldeguer wins maiden MotoGP in Mandalika; Marquez and Bezzecchi collide.

Hazique ZairillOctober 6, 2025
Read More
We want to buy your bike Join us on Telegram
Scroll for more
Tap

Join us on Facebook

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • Comments

  • MotoGP to Kick Off 2026 Season with Global Launch in Singapore
    EventsSeptember 10, 2025
  • Moda Launches Affordable Moca Scooter in Malaysia
    Buyer's guideSeptember 10, 2025
  • Yamaha Unveils V4-Powered YZR-M1, Set for San Marino GP Wild-Card Debut
    MotoGPSeptember 12, 2025
  • Modenas Celebrates 30th Anniversary with Launch of Elit 150S Scooter
    Buyer's guideSeptember 14, 2025
  • Ducati Lenovo Team Gears Up for Misano Home GP
    MotorsportSeptember 10, 2025
  • Canadian Rider Liane Langlois Sets Historic Speed Record
    NewsSeptember 10, 2025
  • Two Malaysian Talents Gear Up for Crucial Races in Europe
    LocalsSeptember 11, 2025
  • 11th CSR Initiative Extends Support to the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)
    CampaignOctober 9, 2025
  • Aprilia RSV4 X-GP Sells Out in Just 14 Days Worldwide
    Buyer's guideOctober 9, 2025
  • Malaysia GP
    MotoGP Confirms Full Pre-Season Schedule Ahead of 2026 Season Launch
    LocalsOctober 9, 2025
  • Kove 450R Review: The New Midweight Inline-Four Contender 
    Buyer's guideOctober 8, 2025
  • Ducati Unveils 2026 Multistrada V4 Rally
    NewsOctober 8, 2025
  • Scooters Surge in 2025 Australian Motorcycle Sales
    NewsOctober 8, 2025
  • Honda Faces Electric Threat in Vietnam
    NewsOctober 8, 2025
  • MV Agusta Lucky Explorer Project 9.5: testing the Schiranna prototype - news.iNthacity: More Top Breaking News and Popular Stories To Stay Informed says:

    […] Michelle Liew […]

  • CFMOTO 450SR to enter Malaysia in March 2023 at RM29,300 - news.iNthacity: More Top Breaking News and Popular Stories To Stay Informed says:

    […] Michelle Liew […]

  • Suzuki V-Strom now available in Malaysia at RM81,900 - news.iNthacity: More Top Breaking News and Popular Stories To Stay Informed says:

    […] Michelle Liew […]

  • Colin says:

    I hope they make the Dax street legal. Love to…

  • Mohd Razi bin Rosli says:

    Adv 150cc

  • Nena Maxberry says:

    Just curious what they would retail for

  • Adam Kenny says:

    RM4159 for the front fork is it?

Categories

  • Buyer's guide
    • First Rides & Reviews
    • Specs, Prices & Others
  • cafe racer malaysia murah
  • Campaign
  • CSR Programme
  • Electric Motorcycles
  • Electric Motorcycles
  • Industry
  • Industry
  • Kedai Motor
  • Lifestyle
    • Concepts & Custom
    • Electric Motorcycles
    • Events
      • EICMa
    • Helmet
    • Motorsport
      • ARRC
      • CubPrix
      • EWC
      • Moto3
      • Motocross
      • MSBK
      • WSBK
    • Tips & Stories
    • Travel
  • Moto2
  • Motor Murah
  • News
    • Locals
    • MotoGP
    • Scoop
  • Review
  • Scoop
  • Scoop
  • SEO
  • Suzuka 8 Hours
  • Tips & Tricks

Corporate

About Us
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Disclosure Policy
Contact Us
SUBSCRIBE NOW!

2024 iMotorbike World Sdn. Bhd.(1205246-M). All rights reserved.

Casa Marco Simoncelli opens its doors in Coriano
MotoGP – Petronas Yamaha SRT was close to sign Pedrosa
Nak Jual Beli Motor 😊 ?
WhatsApp
Hi iMotorbike 😊
Open chat