In Jerez, Fabio Quartararo warns: "I won't be able to repeat last year's results."

In Jerez de la Frontera, fabio quartararo has experienced setbacks as well as triumphs. He notably secured his first pole position there in MotoGP to become the youngest poleman in the history of the discipline before securing his first victory in the premier category and then his second in quick succession on the same track in 2020! Yet, six years later, the team that had given him these thrills seems unable to rekindle the flame.

The fortunate author of a few spectacular feats in 2025 on a motorcycle that wasn't fantastic The Yamaha rider had one of his best weekends at the Andalusian circuit. Starting from pole position on Sunday, he secured second place at the checkered flag – his only podium finish in 2025 – in a season where things were far from rosy for the blue team. But the switch to the V4 engine, expected to raise the bar, clearly failed to live up to expectations.

For Fabio Quartararo, aiming for pole position or the podium is now almost utopian. Last year's lap times are out of reach with this new M1. I don't think I can repeat last year's positive results because we were very fast with the 4-in-line"That's regrettable," says the man from Nice. It's like night and day. In some areas, like power, rear grip, or tire degradation, last year's bike wasn't the best, but now the potential just isn't there at all. We're working to improve it, but I have absolutely no feeling with the front end. And I need that feeling to be fast. Even if it were worse, I need to be able to feel what I'm doing. I'm a bit lost in this area, so I hope we can find a solution so I can push, even if the results aren't good, but still be able to race at 100%. »

He continued, dejected: I prefer not to look at the data, because we're really, really far off the pace. It's a completely different bike, but I know exactly where I'm slower. I can already feel it on the bike, so I don't want to check the last two right-hand corners here, because I know how much time we're going to lose compared to last year. »

« I'm trying to do my best.

Despite his fighting spirit, Fabio Quartararo has been struggling since the start of the season, currently sitting only seventeenth in the overall standings. I try to do my best, to continue training as hard as I do, and to achieve the best possible result. assures number 20Racing is what I love, but unfortunately, I'm not enjoying it as much as last year. But we'll have to get through this year, and I hope we can improve as the races go on. »

The undeniable performance deficit of the M1 is compounded by a lack of overall understanding of the new machine. I can adapt very quickly, but the one thing I really need is that front-end feel. Without it, I struggle. That's what I'm urgently looking for because it allows me to push harder. "Even on a track like Jerez, where top speeds rarely exceed 300 km/h, the lack of handling of the 2026 Yamaha could prove costly, even though the Spanish track has historically suited the M1." I don't think we'll find the same potential as last year's bike in just one year. ", slice " The Devil ».

There is, however, still a glimmer of hope. Having delivered a remarkable performance in qualifying in Brazil (starting 4th), Fabio Quartararo is still capable of masking some of his bike's weaknesses. One question remains: will he be able to do so again in Jerez? The first answers will come during FP1, scheduled for 10:35 AM.

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