MotoGP | Quartararo: “It's time to try risky things”

Fabio Quartararo arrived in Austin fresh from a two-year renewal with Yamaha, a choice that took everyone by surprise, but which he clarified by speaking of “a huge project, but still confidential”. At the moment however, the Frenchman has to continue to grit his teeth because even at COTA the weekend is anything but simple.

Starting from the 16th spot on the grid, the 2021 world champion crossed the finish line of the Sprint gaining one position compared to the starting position, but obviously it is a result that differs greatly from the concept of satisfaction. However, the rider from Nice also wants to take some positives from a complicated situation like the one Yamaha is facing.

“Since yesterday we have tried many different settings, with quite radical changes,” explains Quartararo, who doesn't look so much at the final position as at the work done in the 10 laps of the race. In Austin, in fact, both he and Yamaha took the opportunity to continue carrying out development work and take directions that could help with progress: “In the Sprint I raced with a bike that I had never tried, but I think we have nothing to lose, so it's time to try some slightly risky things.”

What was once Yamaha's strong point has now become one of Iwata's pet peeves. The cornering pace was an element that gave that plus to each M1, making it possible to make up for a top speed that has never been the cutting edge: “The bike is very heavy, we need to make it lighter. Above all we are unable to make the lean angle as we want, we lack this grip both at the front and at the rear, for me even there we lose this cornering pace which in the past was a strong point”, explains Quartararo.

It's difficult to make a prediction as to when the results of the work in the garage will begin to be seen, but the man from Nice tries to make a statement at least regarding the expected changes, not wanting to let anything about Yamaha's confidential project leak out: “I think we need more time than half the season . I think there will be a small change at Mugello or Barcelona. But the ideas are there, I just think that we need more time to really see the potential of our bike, because we can see that there are some positive things, also in terms of aerodynamics. So we hope to do a good job.”