In Qatar, Fabio Quartararo decided to maintain Yamaha’s base configuration, opting for a strategic shift towards consistency rather than constant setup changes. This decision arises from the need to cultivate stability with his M1 machine, as Quartararo aims to adapt himself to what he has, reducing the uncertainty of ongoing alterations.
Quartararo, when approached by the press, clarified misunderstandings about his stance on the frequent changes. He explained that the attempts to find grip have led to numerous adjustments, yet meaningful performance gains remain elusive. “Yes, that’s not exactly what I said,” he clarified, “but the point is that we’re always trying to find grip by changing the bike’s configuration. We’ve already changed it 20 times, and we know that this way we won’t truly find performance. During the first GPs, we kept changing, and eventually, we want to compare with different tracks. I think it’s good to have a base and adapt myself to that base. And on the day we have something important to test or that can really help, we test in direct comparison.”
His strategy for the Doha GP revolves around focusing on his riding technique instead of repetitive adjustments. Quartararo stated, “But I don’t want to keep trying the same things just because we’re at another track. Now I want to focus on my riding, because every time we change, I never get to find the limit of my bike. So, for this GP, I’m not going to touch the bike and I’m going to keep the same rhythm from FP1 until the race. Of course we adjust if necessary, but without major changes.”
The Frenchman is expressing his frustrations with the lack of progress, leading him to this decisive, consistent approach. Quartararo aims to reevaluate his riding style, determine the true limits of the Yamaha, and rediscover the enjoyment of competing on the track. This shift could potentially rejuvenate his performance and provide insights into the enduring relationship between rider and machine, emphasizing how adapting to a stable setup may unlock the M1’s latent potential. Future races may demonstrate the impact of this new approach as Quartararo seeks not only to improve but to thrive once again.
