Quartararo “not on real limit” of Yamaha MotoGP bike in Qatar
Reigning MotoGP world champion Fabio Quartararo says Friday at the Qatar Grand Prix was “tough” and that he is currently “not on our real limit” of the 2022 Yamaha.
Quartararo has spent the winter complaining about the lack of development Yamaha has made with its engine, with its top speed deficit from last year remaining.
On Friday in Qatar, Quartararo was last on the speed traps and is over 10km/h slower than practice pacesetter Alex Rins on the Suzuki – which has an inline four-cylinder engine like the Yamaha.
Quartararo was eighth on the combined timesheets, over four tenths off of Rins, and admits he is “missing something strange” on the 2022 Yamaha currently.
“For me at the moment, I feel different,” Quartararo said. “I feel not so comfortable because on one lap, even in the test, I didn’t feel so great. But today I was missing something strange.
“I was fast in the first two sectors, but we missed something, and we need to understand why and we need to solve it tomorrow because we are not extremely safe for the Q2. So, we will see if we make a time attack or not.
“I feel on the limit but we are not on our real limit. Today I had a tough day because I didn’t understand a few things, and we need to check data and compare it to last [to see] what happened. But I don’t feel myself like I’m properly on the limit on the lap time today.
“I feel on the limit, but because we struggled. We had a tough day, but this is our first day in Qatar, normally we have a test and today was a bit tough.”
Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
When asked if his top speed deficit was what he thought it would be, Quartararo added: “It’s what I expected. Today was a tough day, I didn’t feel so good on the bike to be honest.
“So, we need to find a way to improve. But the speed is not a surprise.”
Team-mate Franco Morbidelli was the fastest Yamaha on Friday in Qatar in fifth and was much higher up the top speed charts than Quartararo.
Having ridden a 2019 bike since 2020, Morbidelli felt today was “a happy day” in terms of the top speed he could achieve.
“In every year that I did in MotoGP, I was dead last in the top speed,” Morbidelli said. “My first real race with the factory team, I’m halfway through the pack on the speed charts.
“So, I have to be happy on the top speed personally. For sure, thinking generally and thinking factory-wise, we have to improve.
“But for me personally today is a happy day in terms of top speed.”
Related video
Ducati duo “confident” in team’s MotoGP 'hybrid' engine decision
Marc Marquez “riding in a strange way” in Qatar MotoGP practice
Isle of Man TT 2023: Harrison ups the pace at midway point of practice week
Isle of Man TT 2023: Harrison ups the pace at midway point of practice week Isle of Man TT 2023: Harrison ups the pace at midway point of practice week
Miller: 2023 MotoGP title fight “like last year on steroids”
Miller: 2023 MotoGP title fight “like last year on steroids” Miller: 2023 MotoGP title fight “like last year on steroids”
The hockey expansion rule that could benefit Andretti's F1 bid
The hockey expansion rule that could benefit Andretti's F1 bid The hockey expansion rule that could benefit Andretti's F1 bid
Yamaha signs new Locatelli deal after Razgatlioglu's exit
Yamaha signs new Locatelli deal after Razgatlioglu's exit Yamaha signs new Locatelli deal after Razgatlioglu's exit
Quartararo using 2021 set-up to battle Yamaha MotoGP problems
Quartararo using 2021 set-up to battle Yamaha MotoGP problems Quartararo using 2021 set-up to battle Yamaha MotoGP problems
Why Yamaha has just six months to safeguard Quartararo's future
Why Yamaha has just six months to safeguard Quartararo's future Why Yamaha has just six months to safeguard Quartararo's future
Le Mans 24 Hours: How to watch on TV in the USA
Le Mans 24 Hours: How to watch on TV in the USA Le Mans 24 Hours: How to watch on TV in the USA
WRC drivers set for Safari Rally-like conditions in Sardinia
WRC drivers set for Safari Rally-like conditions in Sardinia WRC drivers set for Safari Rally-like conditions in Sardinia
Cavallino 24 Hours of Le Mans Special Edition
Cavallino 24 Hours of Le Mans Special Edition Cavallino 24 Hours of Le Mans Special Edition
McLaren: Lack of works F1 engine in 2026 not a handicap
McLaren: Lack of works F1 engine in 2026 not a handicap McLaren: Lack of works F1 engine in 2026 not a handicap
Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?
Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP? Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing
The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form
The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form
How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team
How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team
How one MotoGP team went from title challengers to losing it all in four years
How one MotoGP team went from title challengers to losing it all in four years How one MotoGP team went from title challengers to losing it all in four years
Is Marc Marquez ready to reclaim his MotoGP throne?
Is Marc Marquez ready to reclaim his MotoGP throne? Is Marc Marquez ready to reclaim his MotoGP throne?
How MotoGP's underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023
How MotoGP's underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023 How MotoGP's underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023
How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races
How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.