The world rankings rarely lie and that of MotoGP is no exception in this 2021: the Yamaha is winning the pilots title with Fabio Quartararo who has 52 points ahead of ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia, but the transalpine is the only rider able to push the M1 to the maximum, as evidenced by the first position of Ducati in the team ranking (+2) and in that builders (+9). The large advantage accumulated by ‘El Diablo’ disappears when compared with the best placings of the centaurs of Borgo Panigale and the performance of the single team, where he saw three drivers alternate alongside him (Maverick Vinales, Cal Crutchlow and Franco Morbidelli ).
After losing the constructors’ title in 2020 due to a 50-point penalty for using irregular engine valves, Lin Jarvis – Yamaha manager in MotoGP – is aware that he has left many points on the road, and has identified a clear reason: “We have lost many races with the ‘Vinales case’. For example at the Sachsenring Maverick got a bad result, then at the Styrian Grand Prix he did something for which he was suspended for the next Austrian Grand Prix. Then came the termination of the contract and for Silverstone and Aragon on his bike we put in Cal Crutchlow. We are talking about four or more lost races and therefore many precious points for the world teams and constructors ”.
The British manager is aware that at the moment Quartararo is practically racing alone: ”Fabio’s new teammates have not yet collected any points. A replacement driver finds it difficult to be competitive because the quality of the drivers on the grid today is extremely high. Seeing the performance of Miller and Bagnaia, it will be very difficult for us in the team standings. And in the constructors, it all depends on Fabio: only in Qatar was he not the best Yamaha rider“. Lin Jarvis, in the interview with the Germans of Speedweek does not want to rush Morbidelli: “We hope he can improve, which is why we brought him to the factory team despite being at an early stage of recovery. After the operation he could not ride strong for more than six or seven laps, now we hope he can be more consistent. If he manages to collect points as he is in his potential, we can win the three titles ”.