Quartararo Eager for Game-Changing Yamaha Engine, Pushes for Early Deployment Amid Mixed Results

Fabio Quartararo shares exciting news on Yamaha's next engine development

Fabio Quartararo: “I’m eagerly urging to receive it at the earliest… I wish it could be ready by tomorrow”

In his third consecutive race, Fabio Quartararo tested a 'new' Yamaha engine during the British MotoGP event at Silverstone.

The French driver has now utilized seven out of nine engines this season, yet he remains highly anticipatory for the most advanced version tested privately in Valencia this June.

"Quartararo mentioned at Silverstone, 'We're making progress towards completing it. I believe it could also significantly assist us.'"

"I'm striving to make it happen at the earliest opportunity."

"I'm aiming to receive it by tomorrow, though achieving that seems challenging. I'm making daily efforts to expedite the process as much as I can."

"If possible, we should secure it in Misano, Aragon, or any other suitable location, but ideally at the earliest opportunity."

The 2021 global champion is eager to utilize the engine, as it contributed to regaining some of the M1's previous handling capabilities.

"Quartararo mentioned that there has been an improvement as they've managed to achieve a handling similar to what was experienced in 2021 and 2022," he said, referring to the period during which he and Yamaha secured their latest victories in MotoGP, all of which occurred in the first part of the 2022 season.

Naturally, as is often the case, gaining in one area [acceleration] means sacrificing in another [top speed].

"However, my current challenge lies in mastering the skill of cycling effortlessly."

"You exert effort, yet sense an absence of something crucial. However, with the Valencia engine, there's an improvement. Nonetheless, there's a reduction in velocity."

"Thus, it has changed, yet I favor, as before, being slower on the straights and quicker through the turns, over being speedy on the straights but extremely slow in the bends."

Quartararo has opted for one of the several engine configurations available from the Valencia trials, starting from the Assen race. He disclosed during the Silverstone event that each of his motorcycles was equipped with a distinct specification.

"Essentially, we tested three engines in Valencia. One, which holds the most promise, needs a bit more development time. However, we are deploying two engine models this weekend, and another one is expected to join later in the year," Quartararo detailed.

Combining motor specifications and electronic systems resulted in a complex weekend at the British MotoGP.

"Quartararo mentioned, 'We experimented with various specifications and made adjustments to the electronics. However, the challenge lies in the fact that both engines offer distinctly different riding experiences.'"

"One bicycle requires more effort to maneuver due to its weight, yet it excels in its ability to halt effectively. Conversely, the lighter bicycle offers ease of movement but falls short in stopping power. Thus, when approaching a point where you need to slow down or stop, with one you might realize you could have braked later due to its superior braking capability, or find yourself braking too late with the other due to its insufficient stopping performance."

Quartararo's final outcome was far from his target of immediately qualifying for Q2, finding himself starting from the 18th position on the grid. Despite reverting to his familiar status as the leading rider on a Japanese motorcycle in each race, he could only manage to finish in eleventh place.

"Right before the Sprint, we were experimenting with too much, switching from one bike to another, leaving me without any benchmarks for the qualifying," he explained. "Each bike required a different riding style, which left me utterly confused."

"In discussing the Sprint, I mentioned wanting to start with a foundation that was somewhat familiar to me, and that approach did help improve things. While it wasn't great, we did end up finishing not too far behind Jack [Miller], who secured seventh place. However, we did face significant challenges throughout the weekend."

Quartararo's testing duties have been further complicated due to recent injuries sustained by his teammate Alex Rins and test rider Cal Crutchlow, with Remy Gardner stepping in once more at Silverstone as a replacement.

"During the recent races, I found myself playing the role of a trial rider rather than a competitor, so currently, my emphasis has shifted slightly towards prioritizing speed," Quartararo explained.

"I haven't consistently used the same bicycle for consecutive days in quite a while."

"The issue isn't an excess of new gear, it's the plethora of distinct motorcycles. Every four laps, there's a switch to another motorcycle. Every four laps, the same switch. It's like a race against time, but the question remains – which motorcycle do we use?" he expressed.

"By the close of the previous season, it was evident the motorcycle wasn't performing optimally. Nonetheless, we maintained our foundation, with my efforts pushing the bike to its utmost boundaries."

"Currently, we're unable to do so, as I'm unsure of the bike's maximum capabilities."

Following the completion of half the season, having raced in 10 out of the scheduled 20 rounds, Quartararo currently holds the 14th position

Similar to Honda, Yamaha's recent benefit from technical allowances that permit changes to engine design within the season has not yet translated into improved race outcomes. Presently, Quartararo has accumulated 73 points, positioning him 11th in the overall standings at this point in the season compared to last year.

Similarly, after the tenth race last year, Yamaha and Honda were both at 93 points in the constructors' championship, but this year, their totals have dropped to 53 for Yamaha and 26 for Honda.

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