KTM seeks to avoid insolvency through reorganization

KTM outlines their strategy to address financial issues

The Pierer Mobility Group has revealed that KTM is opting for voluntary reorganization to sidestep insolvency due to the company's continuing financial difficulties.

KTM has faced significant monetary challenges, prompting the company to undertake severe actions lately. This included reducing its board of directors from six members to just two, alongside implementing multiple phases of employee reductions.

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In the past few weeks, it has been announced that KTM plans to dismiss up to an additional 300 staff members, with all manufacturing operations coming to a halt in January and February.

This development follows a dramatic 90% drop in its stock value from its highest point in February 2022, as the company anticipates challenges in obtaining the required funding, amounting to a sum in the high hundreds of millions.

It is now set to file for insolvency in Austria, with plans to separate and reorganize the KTM brand as a strategy to prevent filing for bankruptcy.

The complete announcement states: “KTM AG, entirely owned by Pierer Mobility AG, intends to request the commencement of court-supervised reorganization processes under its own management on November 29, 2024.

KTM AG is currently in need of funding that reaches into the high hundreds of millions. The company's executives no longer believe they will successfully obtain the required short-term financing promptly.

Today, the Executive Board of KTM AG made the decision to submit a request to commence court-supervised reorganization processes, allowing for self-management of the assets belonging to KTM AG and its subsidiaries, KTM Components GmbH and KTM F&E GmbH.

"The process allows for the continued oversight and management of assets, enabling the KTM Group to independently restructure. It's important to note that this situation does not impact other subsidiaries of KTM AG, especially the sales branches."

The objective of the process is to reach a consensus on a restructuring scheme with the creditors within a three-month period. By reshaping the group, the goal is not only to ensure the KTM Group's long-term viability but also to lay the groundwork for it to emerge more robust from the process.

A restructuring of manufacturing processes is expected to result in a steady reduction of surplus inventory at KTM and its associated dealerships within the upcoming two years.

"This is expected to lead to a decrease in operational efficiency at the Austrian locations, amounting to more than €1 billion across 2025 and 2026."

The reorganization effort is expected to lead to further potential financial drawbacks, including singular expenses like mandatory devaluations (for instance, for capitalized development expenses) and expenses related to workforce downsizing, as well as a decrease in fixed cost coverage owing to diminished operational efficiency and various expenses stemming from the reorganization effort.

"As a result, the company anticipates reporting a substantial annual net loss, projected to be in the upper hundreds of millions, for the fiscal year 2024, owing to the previously mentioned factors."

KTM's Chief Executive Officer, Pierer, stated: "In the last thirty years, our company has expanded to be the biggest maker of motorcycles in Europe.

"Our products motivate millions of motorbike enthusiasts globally. Currently, we're pausing to look ahead. The KTM brand represents the culmination of my life's efforts, and I am committed to defending it."

KTM has emphasized in the past week that its MotoGP initiative will proceed as planned in 2025, despite the financial challenges the company is facing.

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Honda's factory team concludes their 2024 season with a private test session in Jerez. The HRC team has been actively participating at Jerez.

The Honda MotoGP factory team concluded their year by conducting a final private testing session at the Jerez circuit.

The 2024 season marked Honda's most challenging period in recent times, as the team was unable to finish in the top five in any grand prix and experienced its third season without a victory in the past five years.

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Honda secured the last position in the constructors' ranking, accumulating only 75 points. This total was 49 points behind their Japanese competitor Yamaha and a significant 647 points away from Ducati.

At the Malaysian Grand Prix, Johann Zarco of LCR achieved the highest placement for HRC this year, securing eighth place, which was the team's sole top-eight finish on a Sunday throughout the year. Additionally, the French rider also finished in eighth place during the sprint race at the Indonesian Grand Prix.

Zarco led the Honda riders in the rankings, securing 17th place, while Takaaki Nakagami finished 19th, Joan Mir took the 21st spot, and Luca Marini ended up at the bottom of the full-time grid in 22nd position.

Throughout 2024, Honda has been actively conducting various private tests during the season, taking advantage of its position as a concession manufacturer.

However, advancements were gradual, with the biggest leap occurring post-San Marino GP, when a new aerodynamic package was introduced, enhancing cornering capabilities.

During the test session in Barcelona after the conclusion of the 2024 season, the responses from Honda's team were varied regarding the updates they introduced.

Mir expressed dissatisfaction because everything he tested was familiar to him, while his teammate Marini disagreed with this view.

Zarco mentioned that the 2025 chassis he tested did not represent an improvement, but he did not feel it necessary to become "stressed" over this issue.

In Barcelona, Marini mentioned that Honda is planning to experiment with some new and exciting developments during a private testing session at Jerez.

On Tuesday, the Jerez circuit saw Marini and HRC test rider Aleix Espargaro in action, followed by Mir and Zarco taking their turns on Wednesday.

Honda's activities happened at the same location where World Superbike testing was underway.

After retiring from full-time racing at the conclusion of the 2024 season, Espargaro will become a test rider for the Honda project.

He will collaborate with Ken Kawauchi, Honda’s previous technical director who transitioned to the test team this year, as Romano Albesiano, formerly with Aprilia, assumes Kawauchi's former role in the factory race team.

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Miguel Oliveira Highlights Substantial Yamaha Commitment to Pramac Initiative

"Yamaha is making a significant push to ensure uniformity in equipment across all motorcycles," Oliveira notes.

Should Miguel Oliveira have harbored any uncertainties regarding Yamaha's commitment to the fresh Pramac satellite collaboration, they would have been dispelled as he found himself surrounded by factory engineers at the Barcelona MotoGP Test.

After being represented exclusively by its factory team for the last two years, Yamaha is expanding its presence to four bikes on the grid for the upcoming season.

In a groundbreaking move within the MotoGP landscape, satellite bikes will match the full factory specs of those ridden by Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins in the Monster team, marking a first in the competition's history.

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For Oliveira, it represents the sole method to bridge the gap.

"Oliveira mentioned that for the first time ever, Yamaha is making a significant push to ensure that all bikes have the same quality of equipment, stating that this approach is undoubtedly the right direction."

"This is the sole strategy to match the pace of your rivals."

Since launching his MotoGP journey with Tech3 in 2019, Oliveira has competed for teams such as Red Bull KTM, RNF, and Trackhouse Aprilia.

The trial in Barcelona marked his initial encounter in collaborating and exchanging ideas with a manufacturer from Japan.

"Oliveira mentioned, 'It definitely stands out as unique. What's great is that you have to communicate in a straightforward manner, and then they confirm with you to ensure that your words accurately reflect your intentions.'"

"That's beneficial since, aside from the information, their only task is to analyze our remarks."

A notable development is that Oliveira, along with his colleague Jack Miller, has become qualified for independent MotoGP trials thanks to Yamaha's D category status.

"I'm prepared. I'm prepared to do some rounds and experiment," Oliveira expressed regarding a more extensive track schedule for 2025. "I was aware of what I was signing up for, and it's gratifying that we can offer this input and progress in this manner."

This additional testing grants entry to the Sepang Shakedown test happening next year, ahead of the Official test scheduled for early February.

For two decades, Peter has witnessed the ebb and flow of talent in the paddock, including the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is deeply involved in covering the story of Suzuki's withdrawal and the challenges Marc Marquez faces with his injuries.

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Max Verstappen Anticipates Numerous Future Clashes with Lando Norris

Max Verstappen forecasts further intense competitions with Lando Norris following his victory over his friend for the F1 championship.

Max Verstappen anticipates numerous future clashes with his Formula 1 competitor and buddy, Lando Norris.

The driver from Red Bull secured a fifth-place finish, just in front of Norris, during the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which allowed him to secure his fourth successive world championship title with two more races left in the season.

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Verstappen concluded the competition holding a formidable 63-point advantage over Norris, who stood out as the Dutch driver's closest competitor over the course of the season.

"Verstappen acknowledged the remarkable emerging talent within the sport, highlighting Lando as a standout. He admitted that Lando occasionally posed significant challenges for him."

"In numerous contests, they were evidently quicker, and we just couldn't match their pace. This, naturally, posed a challenge for us."

"To secure a championship title, maintaining consistency is key. There are moments when you attempt to excel beyond your normal capabilities. While this isn't achievable every single weekend, there are occasions when it does happen. And that's exactly what we accomplished.

Certainly, McLaren is showing formidable strength currently. And indeed, I've had a long-standing acquaintance with Lando. Thus, competing against a friend for the championship always brings a unique dynamic.

"However, I believe there's a significant amount of mutual respect between us. And yes, I'm confident that there will be numerous more challenges we'll face together in the future."

In response to a question about whether there was a moment he believed Norris was more likely to clinch the championship, Verstappen stated, “Starting from Miami, for the most part, we weren't the fastest anymore. Considering Miami happens quite early in the season, it's significant.

"Thus, it's quite possible to overcome a deficit of 50 or 60 points by consistently achieving strong results and avoiding any rash actions. From my own experience, I've managed to catch up from being 30 or 40 points behind, especially thinking back to 2022."

"The notion that anything could happen was always a thought I kept in reserve, yet my primary concern was to concentrate on the aspects I could influence within the team and to commit fully every weekend."

Verstappen expressed his anticipation for the upcoming season, predicting it will be "a real contest among several vehicles, and I'm eager."

Lewis frequently covers Grands Prix worldwide for Crash.net. Typically delivering reports directly from the event locations, Lewis shares narratives about the key individuals in the sport.

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General Motors is set to pay Formula 1 a staggering sum for entry into the global racing competition.

General Motors is said to be spending $450 million (£358 million) as an anti-dilution fee to enter the Formula 1 racing series in 2026.

According to BBC Sport, "senior sources in F1" have disclosed that GM and the US organization TWG Global are set to spend a significant amount to guarantee their participation.

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The disclosed amount surpasses the current anti-dilution fee of $200 million outlined in F1's present regulations by over two times.

F1 squads are advocating for a significant hike in the entry fee for any newcomer as part of the negotiations for the upcoming Concorde Agreement, set to take effect from 2026.

The anti-dilution fee aims to recompense existing teams when a newcomer enters the competition, consequently reducing the prize fund.

Approximately 63% of Formula 1's revenue is distributed among the teams, but this amount will be divided among 11 teams instead of the usual 10 following General Motors' introduction of its Cadillac brand into the sport.

F1 confirmed on Monday that they have preliminarily agreed for General Motors to join the sport in 2026.

"Greg Maffei, the departing head of F1's commercial rights owner Liberty Media, expressed that the inclusion of a notable American brand such as GM/Cadillac into the races, along with GM's role as a prospective supplier of power units, could enhance the sport's appeal and value, aligning with Formula 1's expansion objectives in the United States."

We attribute the advancements made by General Motors and their associates in their preparation to join Formula 1 to their leadership.

"We're thrilled to progress with the application steps for the GM/Cadillac group to join the Championship in 2026."

The initiative to enlarge the Formula 1 roster has been propelled by the FIA, under the leadership of its president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

"General Motors stands as a colossal international entity and a dominant force in the realm of original equipment manufacturing (OEM), collaborating with remarkable allies," Ben Sulayem remarked.

"I wholeheartedly back the endeavors of the FIA, Formula 1, GM, and the respective team in sustaining conversations and advancing towards a preliminary agreement aimed at facilitating the introduction of a GM/Cadillac branded team into the lineup for the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship.

"Every group involved, along with the FIA, will collaborate to guarantee a seamless advancement of the process."

Lewis frequently visits Grand Prix events globally for Crash.net, providing on-site coverage. By doing so, Lewis shares the narratives of the key individuals in the sport.

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Leading Candidate Emerges to Provide General Motors with Temporary F1 Engine Solution

General Motors is poised to acquire an F1 engine from either Ferrari or Honda.

Ferrari has surfaced as the frontrunner to be General Motors' engine provider for the F1 2026 season.

According to BBC Sport, negotiations are still underway, but Ferrari currently leads as the top contender.

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General Motors has officially become a registered manufacturer of F1 power units, aiming to introduce their own engine before the decade concludes.

In the interim, the American team will have to purchase an engine from another manufacturer until they can develop their own. This is not anticipated to happen before 2028 at the earliest.

Therefore, General Motors will face a period of at least two seasons to bridge upon forming an alliance with Cadillac.

Ferrari, the engine supplier for Haas and Sauber, will have an additional supply capacity starting in 2026 as Sauber transitions into Audi. The German brand intends to develop and operate its own engine at that time.

General Motors could naturally consider Honda as another likely choice.

The Japanese company presently supplies engines to Red Bull and its affiliate team, RB.

The team from Milton Keynes has established an internal engine department named Red Bull Powertrains. In partnership with Ford, Red Bull's proprietary power unit is scheduled to be launched in 2026.

In 2026, Aston Martin will receive engines from Honda, which also has the capability to offer power units to additional client teams.

1978 Formula One champion Mario Andretti has been appointed as a board director in an advisory capacity for the team, without taking part in the regular operations.

Michael Andretti, his son, will no longer serve as the team boss, having withdrawn from his position.

The recruitment efforts of the American team to attract seasoned F1 personnel are underway, with former Renault members Nick Chester, Pat Symonds, and Rob White all participating in the initiative.

Lewis frequently covers Grands Prix worldwide for Crash.net. Reporting directly from the events, he shares the narratives of the key figures in the sport.

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Max Verstappen's Formula 1 opponents assert that the recently declared four-time world champion is not invincible.

Competitors of Max Verstappen are convinced that the Red Bull racer can be defeated, even though he has secured his fourth straight F1 world title.

Securing a fifth-place spot in the recent Las Vegas Grand Prix, Verstappen managed to extend his lead over his main competitor, Lando Norris, to a point where it became insurmountable, clinching the championship title with a pair of races yet to unfold.

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Verstappen kicked off the season with exceptional performance, securing victories in seven out of the first ten races. However, following this impressive streak, the Dutch driver has managed to clinch just one more win.

Following his commanding victory in Las Vegas, Mercedes racer George Russell emphasized that "no one is invincible."

Russell further commented, "There are times when teams and their drivers are on a winning streak, leading others to believe they couldn't possibly challenge them if they were to compete. However, it's crucial to maintain confidence in your own abilities."

Speaking for myself, partnering with Lewis, who I consider the best there ever was, and Max, who's undoubtedly on par with Lewis, I genuinely believe in my ability to compete against him if we had the same equipment.

Carlos Sainz of Ferrari, who took third place, shared Russell's sentiments.

"Sainz mentioned, "While I believe Max truly excelled this season… the latter part of the year demonstrated that when our equipment levels are more balanced, we're able to challenge one another and complicate things for each other."

When people feel the weight of pressure, they begin to err. Complaints about their car become common, both directly and through the media. It all boils down to how one handles stress.

"When you lack a significant lead of two to three tenths over your closest competitor or your team member, the tension intensifies, reminding us that everyone has their limits."

Having secured his title for the fourth consecutive time, Verstappen is expecting a significant challenge in the upcoming season.

"He expressed his pride in the team's unity during the challenging races they didn't win."

For the coming year, we're brimming with new concepts. Some aspects couldn't be altered in time this year, so they're on the agenda for the next. I'm optimistic these changes will enhance the car's performance and competitiveness, especially since I'm aware our rivals aren't resting on their laurels.

"The upcoming year will feature a major contest."

Lewis frequently covers Grand Prix events globally for Crash.net. Reporting live from the venues, he shares the narratives of the key figures in the sport.

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Michael Andretti Speaks Out Following Approval of 11th F1 Team Excluding Him

Michael Andretti Unsuccessful in Securing F1 Entry Deal

The anticipated addition to the Formula 1 lineup will not carry the Andretti brand, contrary to previous expectations.

Michael Andretti, who put up a fierce battle to secure a spot on the F1 grid, has for the first time publicly addressed General Motors' successful negotiation to enter the competition.

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Cadillac, supported by General Motors, has reached a preliminary deal with Formula 1 and the International Automobile Federation (FIA) to enter the racing series in 2026.

"Andretti noted in his initial remarks following the confirmation of the deal that the Cadillac F1 Team consists of a dedicated team that has relentlessly worked to establish an American works team."

"I'm extremely pleased with the dedication they've shown and offer my congratulations to everyone on this significant advancement. I'll be rooting for you!"

Nonetheless, the Andretti moniker will not be carried by the 11th team in F1.

Michael Andretti had made efforts to introduce Andretti Global into Formula 1 racing. While the FIA gave its nod of approval, the current 10 Formula 1 teams were not in favor. However, General Motors still had an opportunity open to them.

In September, Andretti relinquished his position of authority.

After negotiations, an agreement has been tentatively reached that will see Dan Towriss taking charge, involving both the Cadillac and General Motors brands.

The sole connection of the Andretti family to the recent Formula 1 initiative is through Michael Andretti’s famous dad, Mario Andretti, a past F1 champion, who serves on the board of directors.

The fresh squad is scheduled to enter the circuit in 2026, coinciding with the inaugural year of the updated rules.

Their goal is to develop their own engines and transform into a fully integrated manufacturer team by the decade's close.

The supplier of their engines for their debut season in F1 has yet to be announced.

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter for Sky Sports, where he reported on a wide range of sports including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1.

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Martin Brundle challenges Lewis Hamilton's assertion by recalling George Russell's performance

"He mentioned after the race that if he had been in the lead from the beginning, he would have easily won the race."

Martin Brundle has countered Lewis Hamilton's claim that a more favorable starting spot could have led him to victory at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

In the Vegas race, Hamilton secured the runner-up position, trailing behind his Mercedes

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Starting from the front of the grid, Russell dominated most of the race, only relinquishing the lead temporarily to Hamilton during his pit stop.

Hamilton attributed his inability to win the grand prix to his disappointing qualifying performance, which resulted in him being positioned 10th on the starting grid.

In his piece for Sky Sports, Brundle described George's performance as confident, suggesting that he is indeed shaping up to be the key figure in guiding the team forward.

"Hamilton, driving for the sister team Mercedes, appeared just as swift, though he did veer off onto the escape road a few times."

Unfortunately for him, during the final qualifying rounds, he experienced two subpar laps due to the rear of the car losing traction, which resulted in him starting from a disappointing 10th position.

"After the race, he mentioned that if he had begun at the front, he would have easily won, a statement that somewhat astonished Russell."

"It's clear that Russell could have increased his speed had it been necessary."

"Nonetheless, Lewis delivered an exceptional performance, skillfully maneuvering past significant competitors to secure the second position, closing the race merely seven seconds behind the leader."

"The audience justifiably selected him as the driver of the day, responding to recent doubts about his peak performance with a definitive answer."

Nonetheless, Russell's showing in Las Vegas has significantly boosted Mercedes' confidence that he is primed to take over as their lead driver from Hamilton in 2025.

Newcomer Kimi Antonelli is set to take over from Hamilton, who is moving to Ferrari next season.

"Amidst the uproar of the championship, one can't help but sympathize with George Russell, who after an impressive qualifying round secured the pole position and went on to lead the race dominantly," Brundle noted.

Throughout the majority of the 50-lap race, he maintained such a substantial lead that he was barely visible due to the intense competition occurring further back. This race marked the third Grand Prix win for George.

From the very beginning of the first practice laps, Mercedes showed impressive speed and went on to dominate every session during the event.

"Their vehicle functioned effectively on the icy smooth road, and the team humbly acknowledged they were not completely certain of the reason, highlighting the car's erratic performance throughout the season."

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter for Sky Sports, where he covered a wide range of sports, including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1.

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Red Bull's technical chief shares reasons for lack of confidence in 2025: "My lack of confidence stems from the belief that our competitors are extremely fast."

The technical director of Red Bull expresses a lack of confidence for the upcoming season, yet maintains that this mindset will serve the team well.

Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive F1 drivers' title, yet Red Bull faced intense competition from McLaren this year, with their previous season's dominance fading away.

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McLaren and Ferrari have surpassed Red Bull in the team standings of the championship.

Ultimately, Red Bull's impressive early performance in 2024 was crucial for Verstappen to successfully fend off Lando Norris' competition and secure the drivers' championship.

Technical chief Pierre Wache shared with Autosport that they are satisfied with the swift progress made on the RB20.

However, Wache expressed, "I don't feel optimistic about '25."

"I lack confidence because I believe the competition is either too fast or already in place. It's going to be a battle throughout the entire year."

The individual responsible for the development of Red Bull's 2025 vehicle, now under increased observation following Adrian Newey’s departure, is confident that his approach will benefit the team.

"He stated, 'If you believe in this business, it's a mistake.'"

"Everyone must put in effort, and within the team, everyone needs to contribute diligently. Everyone is putting in the effort."

"Observing the multitude of individuals striving to enhance performance by even the slightest margin demonstrates the complexity of the challenge."

"My self-doubt stems from the belief that being overly confident can lead to complacency, preventing one from putting in the necessary effort and ultimately hindering achievement."

Verstappen faced a surprising streak of 10 races without a win, while Norris appeared close to overtaking him for the championship.

Wache has now pinpointed the exact time when they grasped the problems with the RB20.

"He stated, 'Monza undeniably served as a critical juncture and a moment of realization for us.'"

"It brought to light a problem with the car that we hadn't noticed previously… or perhaps we had noticed, but it was only a suspicion or a hunch."

In the coming year, McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes aim to challenge Red Bull’s dominance.

Meanwhile, Newey is set to commence his role at Aston Martin, where the primary aim is to craft the premier vehicle tailored for the 2026 regulations.

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter for Sky Sports, where he covered a wide range of sports including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1.

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Luca Marini presents a differing perspective on Honda compared to Joan Mir

Luca Marini issues a caution regarding development progress

Luca Marini has responded to statements made by his MotoGP teammate Joan Mir, who argued that Honda failed to introduce any innovations during the off-season test. However, Marini cautioned that improvements are expected to be gradual.

Mir was dissatisfied with the outcome of the previous week's test in Barcelona, describing it as “not productive” because all the equipment Honda provided for testing had been previously utilized.

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LCR's Johann Zarco mentioned that he tested a new motorcycle from Honda, but described the experience as "nothing positive." However, he also emphasized that it's too early to be overly concerned.

Conversely, Marini remarked that there was more for him to examine than anticipated, noting that the prototype for 2025 would definitely serve as the foundation for the Sepang test.

The Italian rider observed that the updated frame enhanced the bike's front-end performance, yet it failed to address the ongoing rear traction problems that have plagued the Honda throughout the season.

"I sincerely had quite a few options to explore on my end."

"I had anticipated having only a few things to test due to the initial plan, yet in the end, I encountered a considerable number of items: a novel prototype bike that will undoubtedly serve as the foundation for the Sepang test."

"Clearly, it hasn't reached the speed of the regular bike we used over the weekend, but we did discover a positive aspect."

"Undoubtedly, there's still a need to address the bike's persistent flaws, though certain aspects showed improvement while others fell short."

"This is typically expected for the initial trial of the 25th [bike]."

Regarding the updated chassis, he mentioned: "I believe there was a significant transformation, mainly because the framework alteration is substantial."

"At the forefront, there lies something beneficial, something optimistic.

"At the back end, there's still room for enhancement, yet there are numerous adjustments we have yet to explore given that the frame represents a significant modification."

"They didn't opt for a minor adjustment; instead, they implemented a significant transformation to grasp what lies ahead. However, some aspects might be beneficial, while others may not."

Marini pointed out that the chassis evaluation "wasn't conducted flawlessly," implying that any drawbacks observed might not be directly linked to the frame itself but rather to the broader motorcycle configuration.

Honda is set to be in Jerez this week for their last 2024 test session, where Marini mentions, "we'll see some fresh, and arguably more fascinating, updates."

When inquired about the possibility of Honda, who ended up at the bottom of the constructors' standings in 2024, making substantial progress by the first test of 2025, he responded, "I'm not sure. It feels somewhat premature before Sepang. We might have to wait until around mid-season to achieve a significant improvement."

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Fabio Quartararo expressed his disappointment at not securing any podium finishes, yet he also mentioned, "…now I'm actually starting to have fun riding the motorcycle because I'm able to test its boundaries."

Fabio Quartararo concluded the winter hiatus by unexpectedly securing the second-fastest time during the MotoGP testing session in Barcelona.

The show offered a much-needed uplift following Yamaha's most challenging season in the MotoGP era.

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For the first time since its introduction in 2002, Yamaha's M1 did not secure a single grand prix podium, and the team's top racer, Quartararo, finished 13th in the world championship standings.

What is the French individual going to request from Santa Claus this holiday season?

“At the start, all I’m really seeking is control and traction,” Quartararo remarked, having tested new modifications including a redesigned frame, aerodynamics, swingarm, and motor.

"In terms of traction, we're significantly lacking, and I believe that to achieve high speeds, it's the initial priority."

"The energy has already been boosted thanks to Santa Claus arriving ahead of time with additional support, yet I plan to seek out even more, aware of our inevitable need for it!"

Speaking about his most challenging season in the premier class, following three podium finishes and a tenth-place ranking in the previous year’s championship, Quartararo remarked:

"Clearly, there's a sense of disappointment over not securing any podium finishes or standout races. However, it's crucial for us to leave with the positive takeaway from the last four races, where we've seen improvement."

In the wet Jerez Sprint, Quartararo almost reached the podium, but a penalty related to his tires after the race deprived him of the third-place finish.

His top performance in a grand prix was securing the sixth position at the Sepang circuit.

Although the outcomes haven't met Quartararo or Yamaha's expectations, the 2021 world champion firmly believes the project is making progress.

Quartararo pointed out the significant presence of engineers, from both Japan and Italy, in the pit box during the test.

"This year has seen enhancements in our approach to upgrading the bicycle, making the journey to work more efficient."

"Yamaha found it challenging to completely shift their mindset, which understandably required a significant amount of time. With the introduction of enhancements, fresh faces, and a brand-new team setup, there have been numerous changes. It's also worth noting that Augusto Fernandez was seen joining us in the pit box."

"I believe there are significant changes happening. This includes the test team as well. Gradually, we'll make a return. Naturally, I'd prefer it to be immediate, but these improvements require time, and the project is on an upward trajectory."

Is Quartararo feeling more connected to the leading position following the outcomes of the Barcelona trial?

"I sense an improvement in speed, perhaps even proximity, though it's challenging to make a precise assessment during a test day. However, regarding our standing, there appears to be a slight enhancement, despite it being merely a trial."

"However, our genuine standing will become clear on the final day in Thailand [next year]."

Quartararo also emphasized that he's finding pleasure in riding the M1 once more.

He expressed, "To me, it doesn't feel like work at all. I've found joy in biking. I've begun to truly appreciate it because it allows me to test my boundaries."

"Our objective is distinct – to return to the forefront. We are committed to taking any steps necessary to achieve this as quickly as possible."

Peter has spent two decades in the racing circuit, witnessing Valentino Rossi's rise and retirement. He is leading the coverage on Suzuki's departure from the scene and Marc Marquez's battles with injuries.

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