During the recent MotoGP weekend in Brno, Fabio Quartararo, reflecting on his performance, pointed out how Yamaha’s upcoming V4 engine might address the M1 bike’s persistent braking issues. The 2021 MotoGP champion finished fifth in the Sprint and sixth in the Grand Prix, despite starting from third on the grid and staying close to the leaders.
Quartararo ended both races about one second behind the rider in front, but emphasized that braking delays remain a major obstacle to better results. He explained that his current M1 setup limits rear-wheel braking, which forces him to brake earlier than his competitors in close battles.
Braking Challenges with the Current Yamaha M1 Setup
Quartararo highlighted a crucial difference in braking strategy between his M1 bike and rival machines. He said,
“When I’m behind someone, they brake with both wheels; we brake only by the front,”
emphasizing how this influences his riding in traffic. This limitation means he has to begin decelerating approximately 20 meters earlier than others, allowing riders with stronger rear braking to get past him.
The French rider further added the difficulty is most visible during the first five laps after the race start, although his pace improves in the closing laps.
“This is what we are really struggling with during the race. The first 5 laps especially. Because then my pace was not super bad, especially in the last 5 laps.”
Why the M1 Engine Configuration May Be Holding Back Rear Braking
When asked about the reason behind the rear braking struggle, Quartararo attributed the issue to the inline-four engine layout used in the Yamaha M1. He believes the switch to a V4 engine could provide improved braking performance on both wheels.
He explained,
“With this bike have a really strong front end, but we have always struggled with [the rear].”
According to Quartararo, the M1’s rear grip problems significantly affect his competitiveness in close group riding, where rear traction, engine power, and aerodynamic factors all come into play.
He stated,
“When I’m alone, I can do my pace, my riding style, more on the limit. But when I’m in a group, we are losing a lot – it’s the rear grip, then the power, then the aero… But we are working hard to improve in many areas.”
Comparisons with V4-Powered Competitors at Brno
Quartararo’s suspicions that the bike’s engine format limits rear braking were reinforced during the Brno races. He noted that competitors running V4 engines—such as Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia—shared similar advantages in braking.
Regarding this, Quartararo remarked,
“They have one thing similar and that’s the [V4] engine,”
and added,
“I’m not sure because I’m not an engineer and I never tried a V4, but Ducati have one chassis, KTM another one and Aprilia another one. And what I see today we are missing the same with every bike.”
He summarized his view by asserting,
“So I think it’s related to the engine.”
Yamaha’s Plans for Testing and Development of the V4 Machine
Looking ahead, Quartararo revealed that he expects to test Yamaha’s new V4 model at Misano in September. Currently, the bike is being developed under the guidance of test riders Augusto Fernandez, Andrea Dovizioso, and Cal Crutchlow. Depending on how successful the testing and development progress, Yamaha aims to enter Fernandez with a wild-card ride on the V4 later this season.
If the new bike demonstrates clear superiority over the current M1, Yamaha plans to fully switch to the V4 engine design for the 2026 season, which is the final year of the current 1000cc engine regulations.
Implications for Fabio Quartararo and Yamaha’s Competitive Edge
The shift to a V4 engine represents a potential turning point for Quartararo and the Yamaha team, addressing one of the central weaknesses that have hampered their race pace, especially in closely contested battles. The improvement in rear-wheel braking could allow Quartararo to maintain better control and competitiveness within groups, narrowing the gap between qualifying position and race results.
As the season progresses, attention will focus on the Misano testing to see whether the new V4 machine can deliver the expected performance enhancements. This development could redefine Yamaha’s approach and renew their challenge for race victories and the championship.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened with Fabio Quartararo?
A. Quartararo fell on his left shoulder, then slid into the gravel with his bike. The 2021 world champion lay in the gravel for a while, holding his dislocated shoulder.
Q. What happened to Fabio Quartararo?
A. Fabio Quartararo from Yamaha faced more chatter problems in the MotoGP Aragon Grand Prix, leading to a crash while he was in 10th place. In the previous three races, he started in first place and competed for a podium finish in two. However, during the Aragon weekend, the 2021 world champion had difficulties.
Q. MotoGP’s highest earner, Fabio Quartararo, takes home four times less than Formula 1’s top-paid star, Max Verstappen, who earns a staggering £50m per year. F1 driver salaries: how do much Formula 1 drivers earn?
A. Who earns the most money in MotoGP?
