Picture special: Rossi and Lorenzo's 2010 Yamaha M1

MOTOGP Fiat Yamaha team manager Davide Brivio has expalined the changes made to the team's 2010 M1 Yamaha racer, ahead of the start of this year's MotoGP championship.

Speaking to MotoGP.com at the second official pre-season test at Sepang, Brivio explained: "It's a little bit different compared to the 2009 machine, starting with the front Cowling. Yamaha worked on the aerodynamics of this new bike, in order to improve the performances and top speed, and also the cooling.

"Here at Sepang is a very good place to test because the temperature is very high and we can see if this has a good effect. We actually tested it last time and it was good, so this will be the final spec of the cowling for 2010.”

On the new technical regulations, a maximum of six engines per rider for the season, Brivio continued: “Another important area where we worked on this bike is the engine. Because the regulations this year mean everyone must only use a maximum of six engines, we had to improve the durability and reliability of the engine because they have to last much longer.

"The difficulty has been finding durability without losing performance.  We already had some good results, because in lower rpm and middle rpm our engine is better than 2009, and we haven't lose any top speed so far.”

The 2010 MotoGP World Championship kicks off in Qatar on 11th April.