Fabio Quartararo, the 2021 MotoGP World Champion, is eyeing a breakthrough at this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez, despite concerns about hitting the limits of Yamaha’s racing capabilities. Quartararo currently holds eighth place in the championship standings, and although his performance in Qatar marked a season-best with a seventh-place finish, it left him yearning for more.
The French rider continues to grapple with Yamaha M1’s persistent grip and acceleration issues, hindering his competitiveness. Reflecting on the Qatar Grand Prix, Quartararo expressed his frustration, noting the familiar problems during the initial laps when grip is suboptimal. He acknowledged a slight improvement as the race progresses, but finds it insufficient.
Quartararo is eager to see advancements from Yamaha’s development team. There’s a pressing need for innovations to boost grip and combat track dependency. He emphasizes the importance of finding specific areas for improvement, aspiring to challenge his rivals more effectively.
However, Quartararo remains realistic about immediate enhancements before Jerez. When asked if new upgrades were expected for the upcoming race, he hinted that major improvements might not materialize until after Le Mans, where a test day in Italy could provide more answers.
Yet, hope flickers for Jerez if Yamaha’s test team, featuring Cal Crutchlow and Augusto Fernandez, made strides during their private test in Valencia after Qatar. A glimpse of progress was evident as Yamaha secured a surprising front-row position in Qatar, showcasing their qualifying potential. Still, Quartararo laments their inability to leverage this advantage for overtakes due to traction and power deficits.
The Frenchman remains upbeat, despite the setbacks, recalling his prior achievements at Jerez—a circuit where he claimed his first MotoGP victories in 2020 and finished second in 2022. Quintessentially, he is driven to maximize his performance at a venue with fond memories.
Reflecting on his recent birthday, Quartararo expressed gratitude for the well-wishes, motivated to return to the cockpit with renewed vigor. Concurrently, thoughts of the upcoming test day post-GP suffuse expectations with potential breakthroughs. His resolve stays unyielding, intent on delivering a commendable performance amidst the Yamaha MotoGP limitations.
With Yamaha currently tied with KTM at the bottom of the constructors’ standings after KTM lost a podium finish due to a tyre penalty, Quartararo’s persistence embodies the spirit needed to turnaround fortunes. The outlook for Jerez remains compelling, and Yamaha enthusiasts worldwide await Quartararo’s endeavor with bated breath.
