Fabio Quartararo, the reigning MotoGP world champion, openly criticized his performance and Yamaha’s struggles at the Austrian Grand Prix, describing the weekend as “useless” and unproductive. Competing at the Red Bull Ring, Quartararo expressed deep dissatisfaction with his results and the Yamaha bike’s capabilities in this challenging race.
Race Day Issues Leave Quartararo Far Off the Pace
Beginning the weekend poorly, Quartararo failed to advance to Q2, forcing him to start the race in 16th position. Although he managed to improve slightly to 11th place in the sprint race, his fortunes worsened in the main event, finishing 15th and trailing the winner, Marc Márquez, by nearly 25 seconds. The gap highlighted just how much Yamaha was struggling compared to the competition.
Quartararo’s dissatisfaction was clear as he called his result “unacceptable” and underscored Yamaha‘s poor showing at the event, noting that it was shocking to witness four Yamaha riders finishing in the last positions. His blunt assessment revealed the depth of frustration within the Yamaha camp at a venue where they had hoped to be more competitive.
Limited Overtaking and Performance Challenges Hamper Progress
The race itself offered minimal opportunities for passing, compounding Yamaha’s difficulties. Quartararo noted that the only overtaking move he successfully completed was against another Yamaha rider’s bike. This reflected not just rider performance but also the evident shortcomings of the Yamaha M1 on this track. From the start of the weekend, Quartararo sensed that the potential of his team was highly constrained, a fact driven home by the race’s outcome.
Looking Ahead to Balaton Park: Cautious Optimism for Hungary
Despite the poor results in Austria, Quartararo remains cautiously hopeful about the upcoming race at Balaton Park in Hungary, a circuit new to most MotoGP riders. He has observed the Superbike championship’s use of the track and noted its uneven surface as a possible challenge for Yamaha’s bike. However, Quartararo maintains a tentative optimism for improvement at this next stop on the calendar.
Quartararo’s Pressure to Deliver and Team’s Path Forward
As the team prepares for Hungary, Quartararo openly admitted he does not currently feel faster than many of his rivals. This admission reflects the significant pressure to reverse Yamaha’s decline and recapture the competitive edge they have lost. With time running out and expectations high, the upcoming races could prove critical for both the rider and his manufacturer.
“Personally, I believe these days have been useless because I feel I’m leaving Austria without having learned anything.” —Fabio Quartararo, MotoGP Rider
“It’s unacceptable to see four Yamahas in the last four positions. It’s ridiculous!” —Fabio Quartararo, MotoGP Rider
“I feel I’m leaving Austria without having learned anything.” —Fabio Quartararo, MotoGP Rider
“Today, the only pass I made was on another M1, Miller’s bike.” —Fabio Quartararo, MotoGP Rider
“I followed the [Superbike] championship and saw its adaptation. It looks bumpy, so it’s not ideal for our bike, but we’ll see.” —Fabio Quartararo, MotoGP Rider
