Quartararo Identifies Final Sector as Yamaha’s Achilles Heel at Catalunya Circuit

Fabio Quartararo identifies Yamaha's weakness: Struggles in the final stretch

Fabio Quartararo points out that Yamaha is facing significant challenges in the last sector of the Catalunya track, severely impacting their performance.

2021 MotoGP titleholder Fabio Quartarazzo experienced consistent improvement during the sprint race, despite his aspirations for greater achievements.

Quartararo's performance was steady yet lacked excitement, securing him a tenth-place finish as he crossed the finish line.

In response to a question about whether the race unfolded as anticipated, Quartararo replied, “It was a mixed bag. Our motorcycle is highly responsive to changes in grip. A slight decrease for others means a complete loss for us.”

Our initial lap time was significantly slower, yet the speed we achieved matched my expectations. However, the final sector is proving to be a major setback.

"I was ahead of Jack initially, but in the final section, we fell behind by three-tenths of a second on every lap. Regrettably, we couldn't increase our speed, but this was an outcome we anticipated."

Quartararo cited issues with the front tyre's sensation as a contributing factor to his struggles in Barcelona.

Nonetheless, Yamaha has shown clear progress as Alex Rins directly qualified for Q2.

Quartararo expressed, "For me, the front tyre didn't feel right. The medium option, the 70h we opted for in this race, had a really poor performance."

"Today, it's unusual for me to opt for the soft tire, and unfortunately, the stability I experienced was lacking."

"This weekend, the behavior of the front tyre is baffling to me, and it seems we're lacking a bit of assurance, though it appears this issue is universal."

Challenges with handling persist for Yamaha

Yamaha's previously dominant aspect has become a significant weakness, and Quartararo is optimistic that substantial modifications will alter the traits of the existing M1.

Discussing the M1's shortcomings and the timeline for modifications, Quartararo pointed out, "Our main issues revolve around maneuverability and traction. These are precisely the areas we're lacking in. Previously, our ability to navigate turns was a strength, but it has now become a significant challenge."

"Obviously, our inability to achieve the necessary lean angle, compounded by the lack of grip, is causing the tyre to force us off our intended line, which is a significant issue."

"However, my performance is strong, and according to the statistics, we are making progress in the right way."

"I'm eagerly anticipating our upcoming trials in Mugello and Valencia, as they could mark a significant shift for us."

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