MotoGP: Quartararo finds encouragement at Brno, but Yamaha’s struggles persist
Fabio Quartararo has rediscovered encouraging sensations aboard his Yamaha during practice at Brno, offering a glimmer of hope after a series of difficult races. While the 2021 world champion feels better, the path back to the sharp end remains fraught with challenges, primarily due to a persistent lack of outright performance.
Following tough weekends at Mugello and Hungary, where a lack of top speed and grip issues hampered Fabio Quartararo’s efforts, the Brno circuit appeared to offer the Frenchman a fresh opportunity. Early sessions confirmed this trend: a strong lap time late in the morning, aided by a fresh tyre, propelled him to second place. Although he slipped to 14th in subsequent free practice, the Yamaha rider is only two tenths away from direct Q2 qualification. More importantly, he has regained a degree of comfort on his M1.
The MotoGP World Championship is as much about feel as it is about lap times. And on this front, Quartararo is unequivocal: “I already feel better than in the last two GPs, in terms of sensations, so that’s the most important thing,” he told the international press. While the raw results are still far from expectations, this regained feeling represents the first victory for the Yamaha camp.
Fabio Quartararo is showing renewed form on the Yamaha at Brno.
Brno: A track that masks flaws… or reveals them?
The Brno circuit, with its technical layout and generally generous grip levels, is often considered a favourable venue for bikes struggling to express their full potential on faster tracks. Quartararo expected to be “a bit closer” to the top 10 on this particular circuit, admitting that despite his best efforts, he could only manage to be within two tenths of direct qualifying contention. “I gave it everything,” he insists, highlighting a timed lap he deemed “pretty good”.
Yet, the conclusion is stark: “We are slow,” states the 2021 world champion. One strategy discussed to compensate for this deficit involves slipstreaming other riders, such as Pedro Acosta. However, this tactic has its limitations, particularly under braking into corners, which isn’t necessarily ideal for Quartararo’s riding style.
The quest for the perfect gear ratio
Faced with a glaring lack of power, the Yamaha team and Quartararo are exploring every avenue, including gearbox settings. The objective is to optimise every acceleration, especially on the run up to corners. “We’re trying to get the best possible gear ratio, because we’re hitting the rev limiter almost everywhere, we don’t have more power,” explains the rider. The idea is to shorten the gear ratios to improve responsiveness, a solution that will be crucial for enhancing overall performance.
This technical adaptation underscores the difficulty Yamaha faces in competing with the most potent engines on the grid. The search for the ideal setting becomes a race against time, where every detail counts towards shaving off precious milliseconds.
Between caution and ambition: Quartararo’s strategy
As qualifying approaches, Fabio Quartararo positions himself as a potential contender for the final Q2 spots. Buoyed by his rediscovered sensations, he states he will “try to push as hard as possible” if he feels confident. However, remaining true to the cautious approach adopted in recent races, he adds that he has no intention of “doing anything stupid”. This measured approach reflects the reality of the situation: maximising the machine’s potential without jeopardising chances of scoring points over the entire weekend.
Key takeaways from Quartararo’s day at Brno:
- Sensations regained: The French rider feels more comfortable on his Yamaha, a crucial element for confidence.
- Limited performance: Despite the improvement, top speed and acceleration remain significant weak points.
- Set-up strategy: Optimising the gearbox is a key avenue for compensating for the lack of power.
- Cautious approach: Quartararo is aiming for Q2 qualification but without taking unnecessary risks.
- Increased competition: The level in MotoGP remains exceptionally high, making every improvement difficult to translate into results.
