Fabio Quartararo’s demeanour at Yamaha has now completely changed before Thailand Grand Prix

Add as preferred source on Google

Fabio Quartararo and Yamaha were one of the big stories of MotoGP’s Sepang Test last week. There were signs that they’d made the largest leap of any manufacturer.

Quartararo smashed his lap record by eight-tenths, mixing with the Ducatis at the front of the field. While the GP24 and indeed GP25 bikes still looked superior to the M1, even the comparison flattered Yamaha after their fourth-place finish last season.

Indeed, Davide Tardozzi called Quartararo the biggest threat to Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia, outside the Ducati stable at least. They carried that optimism to Buriram for the last two days of testing.

But there was also caution. Due to their concessions rank, Yamaha were able to field their full-time riders in the Shakedown, along with Honda.

Ducati, Aprilia and KTM didn’t enjoy that luxury, which put them at a disadvantage. What’s more, Sepang is only one circuit – the key is delivering the performance at a variety of venues, starting in Buriram.

Fabio Quartararo looked ‘exasperated’ at Yamaha after initial positivity

Quartararo had a ‘positive’ glint in his eye in Sepang as he surprised the paddock. There were ‘smiles’ throughout the Yamaha box.

But Wednesday’s session may serve as a reality check. Quartararo fell to 13th in the combined order, more than a second off the pace of Marquez and also behind two KTMs and three Hondas.

The time attack runs and Sprint simulations on day two will be more instructive. But El Diablo couldn’t hide his frustration after an apparent step back.

Speaking on MotoGP’s After the Flag show, Louis Suddaby shared his observations on the 2021 world champion. His demeanour has completely changed compared to a week ago.

“I spent a bit of time in the pit lane around lunchtime,” he said. “He was looking quite exasperated and frustrated with what he was experiencing on the bike. He’s putting that largely down to the front tyre he had on his Yamaha.”

Fabio Quartararo is wrestling with one big problem at MotoGP’s Buriram Test

Quartararo could have joined a Ducati satellite team and had a shot at the championship. Marquez made a very similar move, abandoning a Japanese manufacturer for what was a year-old Desmosedici bike.

One journalist claims Quartararo faced an eight-figure paycut if he took that step. But more than that, he clearly retains faith in Yamaha to return to the top long-term.

As Suddaby mentions, the main problem on Wednesday was the Michelin rubber. Quartararo says the tyres ‘destroyed’ Yamaha’s day and is desperately hoping for a solution in the final eight hours of running.

They will then review their findings in the fortnight before the season-opening Thailand Grand Prix. Quartararo finished 16th at the event last year after a clash with Franco Morbidelli, interrupting a strong run of late-season form.