Fabio Quartararo experienced a challenging qualifying session at the Hungarian Grand Prix, managing a top 10 finish but remaining visibly frustrated with his performance. The Yamaha rider encountered persistent difficulties with the bike’s handling that impacted his ability to compete at his usual level during the day’s qualifying rounds.
Entering the event at Balaton Park, Quartararo anticipated a tough day given the track’s similarities to the previous Austrian Grand Prix, where he had also faced struggles. Despite these concerns, he advanced to Q2 after setting a tenth-place time in practice, a result that even surprised him amid the ongoing challenges.
Struggles with Bike Balance and Performance Issues
Quartararo was candid about his dissatisfaction, emphasizing that the bike’s balance was far from ideal. He acknowledged that while he could post a decent lap, the overall feeling on his M1 machine was lacking vital grip and braking stability. The Yamaha rider noted his difficulties especially when navigating tight chicanes and accelerating out of corners.
“It felt more like qualifying than practice,” —Fabio Quartararo
“Sure, I’m in the top 10, but the feeling on the bike today was not good. We managed to put in a decent lap, but we’re still six-tenths off the leader. At least we’re in the top 10, but we have to step it up tomorrow because the feeling wasn’t encouraging.” —Fabio Quartararo
“To be honest, I’m not expecting much,” —Fabio Quartararo
“I hope we can work on some issues, but our pace was really poor. The bike’s balance makes it hard to brake effectively, especially in tight chicanes. I’m also struggling with rear stability during acceleration, leading to a lack of grip.” —Fabio Quartararo
Pressure Mounts as Yamaha Faces Competitive Setbacks
The ongoing decline in Quartararo’s competitiveness has put intense pressure on Yamaha’s team to implement changes. He expressed clear impatience with the situation, highlighting how other riders and teams have improved while he has encountered regression after earlier strong performances at circuits such as Jerez, Le Mans, and Silverstone.
“It feels like we’re deteriorating without any adjustments, while others are moving forward, widening the gap. Honestly, it’s frustrating, especially when you think about how we performed at Jerez, Le Mans, and Silverstone—three pole positions and nearly podium finishes. Then suddenly, it’s like hitting a wall,” —Fabio Quartararo
Looking Ahead to the Rest of the Hungarian Grand Prix Weekend
As the Hungarian GP progresses, attention will remain on Quartararo to see if he can regain his form despite these setbacks. His ability to overcome the bike’s handling issues and close the gap to the leaders will be critical for Yamaha’s hopes this weekend. The outcome in the coming races will determine whether Quartararo can break free from this difficult streak or if the struggles at Balaton Park will continue to hinder his results.
