Fabio Quartararo has rediscovered encouraging sensations aboard his Yamaha during practice at Brno, a glimmer of hope after difficult races. While the 2021 world champion feels better, the path back to the sharp end remains fraught with challenges, largely due to a persistent performance deficit.
MotoGP: A return to form for Quartararo?
Following challenging weekends at Mugello and Hungary, where a lack of top speed and grip issues hampered Fabio Quartararo’s performance, the Brno circuit seemed 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 feeling as it is about lap times. And on that 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 rediscovered feeling is the first victory for the Yamaha camp.
Fabio Quartararo is showing renewed form on the Yamaha at Brno.
Brno: A track that smooths out flaws… or reveals them?
The Brno circuit, with its technical layout and generally generous grip, is often considered a favourable ground for bikes struggling to express their potential on faster tracks. Quartararo expected to be “a little closer” to the top 10 on this track, admitting that despite his efforts, he could do no better than fighting within two tenths of direct qualifying. “I gave it my all,” he assures, highlighting a timed lap he considers “pretty good”.
However, the conclusion is stark: “We are slow,” states the 2021 world champion. One of the strategies discussed to compensate for this deficit is to follow other riders, such as Pedro Acosta. But this tactic has its limits, particularly in corners where braking must be later, 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 all avenues, 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 limiter almost everywhere, we don’t have more power,” explains the rider. The idea is to shorten the gear ratios to gain responsiveness, a solution that will be crucial for improving overall performance.
This technical adaptation underscores Yamaha’s difficulty in competing with the most powerful engines on the grid. The search for the ideal setting becomes a race against time, where every detail counts to shave 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. Bolstered by his rediscovered sensations, he states he will “try to push to the maximum” if he feels confident. However, remaining true to the cautious approach shown in recent races, he adds that he doesn’t intend to “do anything stupid”. This measured approach reflects the reality of the situation: maximising the machine’s potential without compromising chances of scoring points over the weekend.
Key takeaways from Quartararo’s day at Brno:
- Sensations rediscovered: 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 weaknesses.
- Setting strategy: Optimising the gearbox is a key avenue to compensate for the lack of power.
- Cautious approach: Quartararo is aiming for Q2 qualification, but without taking undue risks.
- Increased competition: The level in MotoGP remains very high, making every improvement difficult to translate into results.