Action was a little sluggish to get in gear on Day 1 as some waited for conditions to become more similar to those that will prevail during the race weekend, but by the end of running the majority of the field had racked up half a century on the lapcounter.

At this test, there are three choices of front and rear from Michelin, with the soft and medium front tyres the same as the allocation for the race last year and the harder front the one new for this season used at the Sepang and Thai tests. The rear allocation is the medium and hard from the race weekend at Losail in 2017, plus a new soft option to test.

That’s in addition to each individual agenda – with Qatar now proving final decision time ahead of lights out. For Viñales and the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP team, it’s important track time after the Iwata marque struggled at Buriram, with much to test. One thing that is defined for Yamaha, however, is aero – with electronics and grip issues the key focus.

Back on top on Day 1, Spaniard Viñales put in 64 laps, with teammate Valentino Rossi not far behind on lap count or laptime. The ‘Doctor’’s best was a 1:55.432 to put him in P7, but with exactly the same fastest lap as Alex Rins ahead of him. Rossi was positive after Day 1, as was Viñales.

Rins was the fastest Suzuki machine at Buriram, but at Qatar, teammate Andrea Iannone turned the tables on Day 1. Iannone was third fastest and so close to Dovizioso ahead of him, with his best a 1:55.107 and Rins a couple of tenths further back.

The ‘Maniac’ put in 58 laps, with Rins racking up 67 and a late mover up the timesheets. Team Manager Davide Brivio says the package for the Hamamatsu factory is largely now defined in terms of engine and chassis, with time now allocated to final confirmations - but mainly, it's mission: race day as they get set up for the first Grand Prix of the year.

Yamaha and Tech 3 have announced that 2018 will be their last season as partners in the MotoGP World Championship, after 20 mutually successful years. Yamaha have accepted Tech 3’s decision and will provide full support to the team up to and including the last race of the 2018 season.

Tech 3 will continue participating in the MotoGP and Moto2 World Championships and will announce plans for 2019 and beyond at a later date. Yamaha are in the process of deciding whether they will run a satellite team for 2019 and, if so, what form that collaboration will take.

“Very recently we were informed by Hervé Poncharal, the owner of Tech3, that he has decided not to extend his contract with Yamaha to lease YZR-M1 bikes,” begins Kouichi Tsuji, General Manager Motorsports Development Division, YMC and President of YMR.

“After discussions with Hervé it was clear that he has chosen to align with a new partner for the future and therefore, regretfully, we were obliged to respect and accept his decision. The end of such a successful partnership is always a bit sad, as it also marks the end of a long-term relationship. We are very grateful for Hervé’s loyalty and support to the Yamaha brand and for the excellent results obtained throughout that time."

"We will continue to provide our full support to the Tech3 team and their riders throughout the 2018 season, while we simultaneously evaluate our options for an alternative team in the MotoGP World Championship class for 2019 and beyond." He concluded

Team Manager Herve Poncharal echoes many of those sentiments, and adds: “To summarize 20 years of an incredible partnership between Tech3 and Yamaha in a few words is a very difficult mission."

"Since I first met Mr. Iio in 1998, where he gave me the opportunity to join Yamaha Motor Corporation, it has been an extraordinary journey together. All I remember are fantastic memories, great results, an awesome atmosphere and astonishing feelings we shared with the Yamaha family, which will always be in my mind and in my heart."

"Clearly, to end that kind of partnership is a big decision for me. All I want to say is more than a huge thank you to Yamaha, to Mr. Tsuji, Mr. Tsuya, Mr. Jarvis and Mr. Nakajima, plus all the guys that have been supporting and helping us.

“Tech3 is a small company, which has to think about the future and has to weigh the different options. We’ve been offered a deal, that includes something we’ve been waiting for almost since we started with Tech3 and I couldn’t say no. But obviously, we are the Monster Yamaha Team until the last lap of the Valencia GP 2018."

"Johann Zarco and Hafizh Syahrin will be fighting for top positions and without a doubt, Yamaha can count on us to be a loyal performant partner. One more time a huge thank you for Yamaha’s support. I hope they can carry on and have the success they deserve and eventually find a partner to replace Tech3."

source: motogp.com

Marc Marquez will be staying at the Repsol Honda Team for two further seasons, having signed a contract to remain at Honda in 2019 and 2020.

Marquez, who joined the team in 2013 as a rookie and went on to take his first premier class crown that year, will have raced with the squad for a total of eight seasons by the conclusion of the 2020 season – and it has been quite a ride.

So far, the number 93 has only lost the title once, in 2015, and has been a multiple race winner every year. In 2018, the rider from Cervera is looking to defend the MotoGP crown and take premier class title number five, with Honda also defending a crown as they head into the year as reigning Manufacturers’ Champions.

“I’m excited to continue to race for Honda’s factory team in the MotoGP class,” says Marquez.

“I’m proud to race as a member of the Honda family, and I appreciate how Honda and the team always do their best to provide me with everything I need."

"I would also like to thank everyone who has given me such warm support over the years. The first two official tests went well and, with my contract renewed, I can focus on racing in the new season." He added

"I will continue to enjoy racing, share my joy with everybody and do my best to reach our shared goals. Thank you!”

Yoshishige Nomura, HRC President, adds: “I am very pleased that Marc Márquez will continue to ride for our factory team. Márquez has consistently pushed himself to the limit and matured as a rider, and given Honda many titles. We were able to announce the contract renewal at such an early stage due to our mutual trust, and our common passion for racing."

"I am certain that we can provide an environment for him to concentrate on the final tests in Qatar this week and in the lead-up to the opening round, and that we can start the 2018 season strongly. HRC will continue its challenge with Márquez, a vital rider in the future of MotoGP. I appreciate and look forward to everyone’s continued support for the Repsol Honda Team.”