Fabio Quartararo managed to maintain control following a confusing Friday morning session at Motegi, securing a direct spot in Q2 despite mixed conditions. Demonstrating composure amid the challenges, his Fabio Quartararo Q2 Performance positioned him well for the upcoming race weekend in Japan.
Calm Amid Uncertainty on Friday
Friday’s morning session at Motegi left many teams unsettled, but Quartararo remained steady. He noted that track conditions were manageable, although some tyre choices complicated efforts during the earlier run. Avoiding the medium tyre on purpose, which he deemed the correct option, Quartararo and others experimented only with soft and hard compounds, resulting in a mixed set of data.
“The condition for me was not too bad,” he said. “This morning we didn’t want to use the right tyre — the medium — and everybody was on soft or hard. This afternoon was quite OK, so I’d say conditions were normal.”
– Fabio Quartararo
Despite these challenges, Quartararo ensured he advanced directly to Q2, avoiding the difficult process of moving up from Q1 on Saturday morning. His cautious approach prioritized earning a solid starting position rather than pushing limits in uncertain conditions.
“Yeah, happy to be in Q2,” he admitted. “I won’t say super, super happy about the practice, but it’s better to be in Q2 from Friday — we know how hard Saturday morning is to go from Q1 to Q2.”
– Fabio Quartararo
Technical Setback with Exhaust Testing
Quartararo’s plan to test a new exhaust system was thwarted by a mechanical issue early in the day. Unable to complete more than a single lap with the new setup, the team reverted to a tried-and-true standard exhaust, focusing instead on maintaining consistency for the remainder of Friday’s sessions.
“We had an issue with the bike in the morning, so it wasn’t possible to use the exhaust,” he said. “I did less than one lap — we went back to the standard.”
– Fabio Quartararo
Evaluating Race Pace and Tyre Choices
When discussing outright speed, Quartararo was measured about his capabilities. While able to post competitive pace in shorter stints, he acknowledged that unlike some rivals, he consistently rides at his absolute limit, which threatens tyre degradation over longer runs. This factor becomes a challenge during the Sprint race, when maintaining consistent speed is critical.
“The pace is not bad for six laps,” he said. “The problem is I give my 100% always, and the others — you can see Bezzecchi — they have a bit of margin. When the Sprint arrives, I’m already on the limit, and the more laps I do the worse it is for us.”
– Fabio Quartararo
The tyre situation also influenced Quartararo’s approach. He described the differences between the medium and hard front tyres, emphasizing the better edge grip of the medium compound. This improved grip aids in cornering, allowing him to exploit the Yamaha’s strengths when pushing near the limit, an important factor for both qualifying and race performance.
“The hard front has a little less edge grip,” Fabio explained. “Front stability and trail feel really similar, but on the edge the medium is a bit better.”
– Fabio Quartararo
Looking Ahead to Saturday’s Challenges
Quartararo’s focus now shifts to Saturday’s sessions, where the goal is to translate Friday’s stability into a strong qualifying lap and advantageous Sprint grid position. His ability to maintain tyre performance while riding aggressively will be critical in keeping pace with rivals like Bezzecchi and Marc Marquez, who remain threats in an unpredictable weekend at Motegi.
With the Yamaha showing promise on the medium front tyre, Quartararo’s chance to fight for better starting spots depends on how well he adapts to evolving track conditions and manages his physical limits. The weekend’s unfolding battles will test his resolve as he aims to stay competitive in Japan’s demanding MotoGP environment.
