Yamaha: new surface could affect form

The team dominated the February test in Malaysia, and Valentino Rossi won last year's race after a tough battle with Loris Capirossi.

But the circuit was resurfaced during the summer, and initial reports suggest that the changes could present some tyre choice quandaries for the teams.

"We had a great test here in February but it looks like the resurfacing has changed the track a lot so we don't know what the grip will be like," said team boss Davide Brivio.

""It means we go there in pretty much the same shape as everybody else, with some doubts about what we tested here. The weather forecast we have is predicting rain each afternoon so there are question marks over the track and the conditions.

"Apart from that, this is a circuit we have enjoyed a lot of success at in the past and Valentino has won here many times so we have to be confident."

After being beaten by the Ducatis in Australia last weekend, Rossi is extremely fired up for both Sepang and the Valencia season finale.

"I did everything I could in Australia but we couldn't challenge Stoner so our target for the final two races is unchanged - to fight for the win," said Rossi.

"Sepang is another of my favourite tracks and I've had some great races there. Last year's battle with Loris was especially memorable, and I would really like to have the chance to fight like that with my rivals again this year.

"We know that our bike generally goes well there and we have a lot of data from so much testing there, even if our bike has changed quite a bit from the start of the year when we were last there and the track has also, but hopefully we will be able to find a good package and be competitive.

"We have two races left and we are going to be doing everything we can to win them both so we can end the season in a good way."

His teammate Colin Edwards struggled for most the Phillip Island weekend before hitting upon a better set-up in time for the race and taking ninth place.

"Despite only finishing ninth I did leave Phillip Island feeling like we salvaged something from the weekend because at times it was looking like it was going to be a lot worse and I think we learnt something," said Edwards.

"For Malaysia, Michelin are bringing some stuff that I know from testing works for me on this bike at this track - we just have to hope it works just as well with the new surface. Hopefully if we put it together with what we learnt about the bike in Australia then we'll be in good shape.

"The YZR-M1 went brilliantly at Sepang in preseason testing - now we will have to see how much better our rivals are there after a full season of development.

"Anyway, I'm glad to be going straight there from Australia because there's no time to sit about feeling disappointed about what happened Phillip Island. I'm still determined to get a good result before the end of the season and Sepang is a good place to do it."