MotoGP: Lorenzo: Yamaha still trailing Honda

Jorge Lorenzo believes Yamaha still loses out to MotoGP archrival Honda in all the same areas as it did in 2013.

Honda's Marc Marquez has won every race so far in 2014, having also edged Lorenzo to last year's title. Lorenzo said there was still scope for him to improve his race fitness after his 2013 injuries and winter surgery, but that the technical areas where Yamaha trailed Honda felt very familiar.

"It's more or less the things we were missing last year, but a little bit more," he said. "I think I can improve a little in my physical condition, that's still not perfect. But the bike still doesn't give the chance to brake a little later and stop in a shorter time.

"We're missing a little acceleration and top speed. This is going to be difficult to improve."

The Spaniard fears the engine freeze regulations will hamper Yamaha's chances of catching Honda this year. He said that would not stop him trying every possible avenue to get on terms with Marquez.

"I think this year is more difficult than the other years because the engines are frozen," Lorenzo said. "We cannot improve the engine, but we can improve the electronics and the chassis.

"If the bike does not improve – because Yamaha doesn't bring anything new, although they're working very, very hard – then I will try to improve myself and my riding style, and work with the mechanics and engineers to improve the setup."