Lorenzo: No quick fix for power issues

The reigning MotoGP champion has reiterated his belief that it is a lack of horsepower that is keeping Yamaha off the top of the timesheets at present.

"What I'm thinking of now is the engine, which remains the main problem: we lack power," Lorenzo told Motosprint.

"We need to find more horsepower and this is a job for Yamaha to do. We need an engine that pushes harder for the whole power curve.

"It's under everyone's eyes that our rivals have made a big step forward and that they have more powerful engines."

He insisted he was not worried about the situation, but admitted he was set to start his title defence on the back foot.

"I know Yamaha doesn't like this situation, so for sure the engineers will react," said Lorenzo. "I'm calm, in the sense that I can't do anything for the engine: I need to wait for the engineers."

Asked if he has requested a power upgrade in time for the season-opener in Qatar later this month, Lorenzo replied: "No, because that would be impossible. I hope not to have to wait for too many races, however."