After the first four races of a hectic 2022 season, Fabio Quartararo has only managed one podium finish so far. The lack of progress in the Yamaha pack has meant that, in addition to his second place finish in Indonesia, the French rider finished ninth in Qatar, eighth in Argentina and seventh in Austin.
The reigning world champion is just 17 points behind championship leader Enea Bastianini, but says the European tour – which starts this weekend with the Portuguese Grand Prix – should bring podium finishes to the team.
“This is 50%, but it is true that Jerez and Le Mans are really important tracks for Yamaha,” Fabio told Autosport. “So we can’t make mistakes.”
Currently, the Yamaha M1 has several shortcomings: the first, speed. In relation to this aspect, Fabio Quartararo has pointed out that the M1 has a range of performance that depends, to a large extent, on the grip that is offered during the weekend.
“If we want to fight for the championship, mistakes are not allowed on this type of track,” the Frenchman insisted.
The prototype needs top speed relative to its rivals, and struggles when it lags behind faster bikes, as the riders are unable to use the M1’s strengths in the corners.
As to whether he expected any updates from Yamaha ahead of the European tour, Quartararo said there had been no real meeting on the matter with his team.
“I hope we get some updates soon,” he ventured. “At the moment I don’t have much news about it, but we have to do it.”
“It sounds ridiculous, because I was happy with my position in Austin,” the French driver added, respectfully. to his 7th position in the fourth round of the year.
“I am glad of how I was and I was world champion last year. Imagine. We have to have new things,” settled the boy from the Côte d’Azur.
For the moment, Fabio Quartararo is preparing to give his best this Sunday at the Portuguese Grand Prix, a test where he appears as one of the candidates for victory.
