Fabio Quartararo Optimistic as Yamaha Closes Gap with European Manufacturers for 2024 MotoGP Season

Fabio Quartararo: Yamaha remains focused on the 2024 bike, 'making progress'

'At the beginning of the season, we were significantly behind the European manufacturers, but I believe we're closing the gap. While we're not quite on par with Ducati yet, we're improving in comparison to Aprilia and KTM.'

Yamaha's ability to use technical concessions means the typical difference between this year's MotoGP bike and next year's version will probably be less clear.

Fabio Quartararo clarified that Yamaha is prioritizing a steady flow of updates for the M1.

"We're not really considering next year when it comes to the concessions," he explained. "As long as we have the necessary parts, we can make monthly upgrades since we currently have the flexibility to alter our engine specifications."

"This shifted the emphasis to the immediate future, rather than concerning 2025."

The forthcoming major improvement is expected to be the launch of the second updated engine version, which received positive feedback from Quartararo and his teammate Alex Rins during a private test session in Valencia.

The initial new specification engine was delivered for the Assen event, but the second engine is expected to offer greater advantages.

Quartararo mentioned that they tested two engines—one that has been with them since Assen and another that will be available in the future. He noted that the current engine is performing better, which is a very promising sign.

According to the MotoGP engine list, Quartararo introduced a new engine at the Assen event and added another new engine at the Sachsenring race, using the same type as he did in The Netherlands.

The revised engine seems to enhance agility and maneuverability but doesn’t appear to improve traction. The French driver believed that trying to achieve peak performance on fresh tires limited his potential in Germany.

"The race exceeded our expectations, although we faced some challenges at the start with the new tires," he commented.

Despite being 20 seconds quicker over the race distance compared to last year, Quartararo remains 17 seconds behind Ducati's winner Francesco Bagnaia. Nevertheless, Quartararo believes that progress is being made in closing the gap with other European brands.

"Quartararo noted that the team has undergone significant changes since Max Bartolini joined. 'We've been experimenting with a lot of new things,' he said."

"We began the season significantly behind the European manufacturers, but I believe we are gradually closing the gap."

"More so to Aprilia and KTM than to Ducati."

Quartararo crossed the finish line in eleventh position at the German MotoGP, trailing Miguel Oliveira's top Aprilia by 7 seconds, but he was only 2.5 seconds behind Pedro Acosta's leading KTM.

Honda can take advantage of all the benefits available in MotoGP. In the German race, Takaaki Nakagami was their highest-placed rider, ending up in 14th position, trailing Quartararo by 8 seconds.

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