Since he got on the bike in the first winter tests, in Jerez, the week after the course closed the curtain in Valencia, the Frenchman went on to underline the lack of top speed of his M1, especially when crossing his data with those of the almighty Ducati. As the weeks went by, the Devil hardened his statements until he reached the level of maximum harshness, which was precipitated at the end of the last day of the preseason, in Mandalika .
“It is disappointing that we have had so much time to develop the engine and we have nothing. I do not understand that the average speed that we lose in any circuit with respect to the fastest is always 10 kilometers per hour. It doesn’t matter if the straight is a hundred meters or a kilometer, we won’t go below that figure,” agreed Quartararo from Lombok , where his M1 reached ‘only’ 305 kilometers per hour, 9.8 k/h less than the Ducati of Johann Zarco. The Yamaha of the boy from the Côte d’Azur was stuck in 17th place in the statistics reserved for top speeds. Only four prototypes slower than his were counted. Two of them were Yamaha (Franco Morbidelli and Andrea Dovizioso), while Darryn Binder’s unit, the 2021 spec, tied his at 305kph.
Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing, during pre-season testing in Indonesia
Photo by: Yamaha
These figures attest to a glaring lack of muscle from the 2022 M1 when compared to the competition. However, the good results are not only the result of the straight-line sections, and if the vehemence in Quartararo ‘s statements drew attention it was when checking his good performance in Mandalika. Especially the last day, in which a lot of kilometers (79 laps) were given, the third that rolled the most. That Sunday, the boy from Nice finished with the second best time overall, just 14 thousandths from the fastest (Pol Espargaró), and being one of the most consistent, as reflected in the analysis of the long runs of laps: he was the one who laps he completed (48) at the hypothetical pace that, on paper, those who want to fight for victory on March 20, the date on which the Indonesian Grand Prix should be held, must maintain.
With all this data on the table, it is normal that there are those who consider the current champion’s laments somewhat disproportionate, and look for another reason to justify it. And it is in this context that it is easy to realize that his contract with Yamaha expires at the end of this season, and that both parties are in negotiations to extend it. In line with this, it should be noted that the #20 always made it clear that before signing the renewal he wanted to get on the new M1, in order to evaluate the work done by the engineers during the winter. His verdict has left no room for doubt, so much so that he has even remarked that his future “is open”, even though his options of joining any other team are scarce, both due to the market situation and its high and deserved cache.
At this point it is necessary to find some element that serves to place those claims made by Quartararo in their proper measure. No rider is satisfied with the top speed that the motorcycle they are riding is capable of offering, given that it is a time that “comes for free”, as everyone agrees. In that sense, there is no better setting than the Losail circuit to act as a thermometer for these complaints. In theory, it is a track favorable to the excellent power of the Ducati, with a straight where any bike lacking speed should not have a chance. And, despite this, the last two tests held there, both in 2021, were awarded to two Yamahas (Maverick Viñales and Quartararo himself).
Fabio Quartararo complains about lack of top speed on the 2022 Yamaha
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
“It is much easier for a rider to highlight the lack of top speed of the bike he is riding than, say, the lack of handling,” one of the most experienced engineers in the paddock told Motorsport.com . “The top speed is reflected in the papers, and that, whether you like it or not, gives more strength to their claims because everyone can see it”, adds this technical manager of one of the official drivers of the moment.
With all the reservations that any analysis of the Qatar Grand Prix always deserves, since it takes place in unique conditions –at night, on a track that is usually very dirty due to desert sand and with strong gusts of wind–, the first date of this 2022 will allow you to get a slight idea of the level of each other, and the impact that the eight Ducati will have, which will make up a third of the entire grid. His enormous power will complicate the work a little more for the pilots of the other brands, especially in the qualifying session on Saturday. Depending on how Quartararo is positioned, the problem he will have to face will be how to overtake the rivals in front of him, especially if they ride a Ducati or a Honda. Depending on how that premiere in Qatar ends, the harshness of the statements that he has been releasing in the last month may well fall short and certify that, indeed, Yamaha has a big problem.
