Fabio Quartararo, the Yamaha MotoGP rider, has withdrawn from the Sepang test after sustaining injuries in a crash on the first day of the official preseason testing. The crash occurred at turn five during Tuesday’s session in Malaysia, leading to Quartararo’s decision to sit out the remaining days of the test to recover.
Details of the Incident and Immediate Aftermath
This session marked Quartararo’s third on-track appearance at Sepang this year, following participation during the MotoGP Shakedown tests the previous week. Although he returned to the track after the crash and managed to finish ninth-fastest on day one, the French rider confirmed he would not continue testing on Wednesday or Thursday due to injury.
Quartararo commented on his condition shortly after the incident:
The arm is a bit sore but the finger is broken, so we decide to stop for the next two days of test,
Quartararo told MotoGP.com after the opening day.
He added,
So, bit sad because I want to [continue], but also for the first race I think it’s better, especially the arm there is nothing strange but especially for my finger it’s better.
Reflecting on the crash itself, Quartararo explained,
“I lose it pretty straight. Don’t really know what happened, but it was a fast one and I finished a bit far into the gravel.”
He further said,
So, unfortunately not lucky today but I think it can be much worse after this crash.
Focus Shifts to Recovery and Upcoming Buriram Test
Following his withdrawal, Quartararo is now concentrating on recovery ahead of the final preseason test at Buriram scheduled for February 21–22. He acknowledged that several improvements are necessary for Yamaha’s performance before the season begins.
Discussing the team’s efforts, Quartararo said,
We have to work super-hard because we are still very far and I know that the team is doing it, so I’m crossing my fingers for Thailand,
expressing determination despite setbacks.
He also highlighted key areas for improvement:
Of course the team knows what my comments are, of course the main topic is the top speed, with the turning – the bike is not turning at all. But I mean it’s quite normal, it’s the beginning of the project but I think that where we have more margin is in the top speed and the turning of the bike.
Team Management and Injury Assessment
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team Director Massimo Meregalli provided updates on Quartararo’s condition during the latter part of the day’s testing. Meregalli confirmed that the team did not pressure the rider to continue, prioritizing his health instead.
He explained,
He [Quartararo] has pain more or less everywhere in his body,
emphasizing the extent of the rider’s discomfort.
Meregalli further noted,
“We just told him ‘Please, do not take any risk’.”
He acknowledged that although Yamaha gained some progress during the Shakedown test despite the disrupted plan, caution remains critical with a race season approaching.
The team director added,
We don’t want absolutely to take any risk that we can avoid, because in a couple of weeks we will be in Thailand for the last test but also for the start of the championship.
He elaborated on the specific injuries, explaining,
He has [pain in] the left arm and also one finger on the right. That corner [turn five] is a third-gear corner, the speed might be around 160–170kph, and honestly I expect that tomorrow he will be even more sore than now.
Adjusting Testing Plans to Compensate for Quartararo’s Absence
To cover for Quartararo’s absence during the remaining days at Sepang, the Yamaha team plans to rearrange its testing lineup. Meregalli remarked,
For sure we will move Augusto [Fernandez] maybe in [Fabio’s] side of the garage and we will try to complete other materials that we have to test,
He also noted the advantage of Yamaha’s broad rider roster, stating,
Luckily we also have five riders that for sure by the end of the test we will gather a lot of information.
Besides Fernandez, Andrea Dovizioso is also participating in the Malaysia test for Yamaha’s development team, helping to collect valuable data despite the absence of their lead rider.
