Quartararo hopes for a reaction from Yamaha

The Frenchman hopes to obtain developments on his Yamaha YZR-M1 to stand up to other manufacturers, in particular Ducati. 

Published on 21/04/2022 à 15:39

Tom Morsellino

0 View comments)

Quartararo hopes for a reaction from Yamaha

Fabio Quartararo hopes for a reaction from Yamaha after a mixed start to the season. ©Yamaha MotoGP

Three races MotoGP were contested on the Portimão circuit and each time, it was a different driver and manufacturer who won: Miguel Oliveira (KTM) in 2020, fabio quartararo (Yamaha) in 2021/1 and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) in 2021/2, each of them from pole position.

It is therefore difficult to identify a trend ahead of this fifth meeting of the season. For Quartararo, it’s double or nothing. “ It's not a bad circuit, admits the world champion who celebrated his 23rd birthday on Wednesday. As long as there is load on the rear, the grip is good. This circuit can smile on us as the opposite. Last year I was in the Top 4 at the start and was able to overtake. But in the second race, I was behind the Ducatis and I couldn't set my pace, it was a disaster. It will depend on our qualifications and how the race goes. "

It's actually no secret, qualifying determines a race and starting from beyond the second row, the task promises to be complicated. “ In qualifying, my plan is to attack as much as possible to place myself in the best possible position, recalls the Nice resident. I don't have a better plan than this. In Austin I gave everything I had and I made a mistake, but the only way for me to challenge the other manufacturers (...) It's very difficult, because they've all taken a big step. It's not that I'm worse in qualifying, but I'm reaching the limit. »

And to continue about upcoming stops on the calendar that should suit the YZR-M1. “ This circuit is 50/50 for us, but in Jerez and Le Mans are important routes for us. We are not allowed to make mistakes. On this type of circuit, you have to finish on the podium and not make mistakes otherwise we will not be in a good position for the end of the year. "

To avoid putting himself in the red every time he takes to the track, the Frenchman is waiting for a reaction from Yamaha. “î, he indicates about possible future advances. At the moment we don't really have any news, but we have to. Imagine I was happy to finish seventh in Austin. It seems ridiculous, I was world champion last year and I was happy with this result in Austin. We must have something new. "

If a new engine is excluded (the engines are sealed at the start of the year and no evolution is possible), it is possible to play on other areas such as aero, gearbox, exhaust, etc. 'electronic…

ALSO READ > Quartararo, what options for 2023?

Tom Morsellino

Journalist and MotoGP reporter.

0 View comments)