Fabio Quartararo explains what he expected Yamaha to do ‘much better’ over the winter, ‘I don’t think that’s the case…’

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Fabio Quartararo was the talk of the MotoGP paddock during pre-season after showing some stunning pace in Sepang.

Yamaha were soon hit with reality after arriving in Buriram, where their bikes returned to old form and struggled in the heat.

After two races this season, their highest finish is 11th, achieved by both their MotoGP factory team and their satellite Pramac outfit.

2021 champion Fabio Quartararo has struggled the most of anyone. Fast over one lap, but cannot seem to sustain his pace over a race distance at all.

Yamaha have a problem ‘never seen before’ after experiencing high levels of tyre wear. It’s destroying any chance they have of securing a good result.

Quartararo admitted to being ‘overly aggressive’ to Yamaha when they were first dealing with tough times in 2023. He has adjusted his approach this time and hopes it will pay dividends.

READ MORE: Jack Miller thinks Yamaha are now doing something ‘ten times better’ than last year during the 2025 MotoGP season

Fabio Quartararo expected ‘much better’ from Yamaha’s MotoGP upgrades over the winter

If things continue as they are following the Argentina Grand Prix, then Quartararo is on course for his worst statistical season in the sport.

There has been heavy investment and a lot of hard work put in to endure that the Japanese manufacturer improves from where they were last year.

However, it seems that they may be starting to concede that what they have done isn’t enough. Quartararo told the Spanish edition of Motorsport.com that he expected more.

“I was expecting something much better, honestly, given the work we did over the winter,” he said. “I thought we’d made a step forward, but unfortunately, I don’t think that’s the case.”

The upcoming Grand Prix of the Americas isn’t much of a happy hunting ground either. They may have to wait until they return to Europe before getting back on track.

READ MORE: Yamaha chief shares the main reason why they ‘suddenly’ fell behind their MotoGP rivals

Why Yamaha’s 2025 MotoGP season is far from over yet

With 20 races to go during the current season, it may seem obvious that the season is far from over for anyone apart from those with aspirations of beating Marc Marquez to the title.

Thanks to the concession system, the Japanese manufacturers still have plenty to gain in their fight to improve.

Exempt from the two-year engine freeze, both Yamaha and Honda can continue to develop their current units before the new regulations arrive in 2027.

It was a measure introduced to prevent their rivals from overspending on technology which is only going to be around for the next 18 months.

It presents an opportunity for them to close the gap which is still larger than they would like it to be.