Marco Bezzecchi
Fabio Quartararo has revealed the advice he gave to Toprak Razgatlioglu after seeing the Pramac rookie looking ‘desperate’ during the final MotoGP pre-season test in Buriram.
Despite being one of the most highly anticipated rookies to join the premier class in recent years, Toprak Razgatlioglu has had to adapt to MotoGP machinery while battling against the poor performance of Yamaha machinery.
There haven’t been too many successful converts from the World Superbikes category, but former MotoGP team boss Francesco Guidotti believes if anyone can do it, then it will be Razgatlioglu.
However, he has a large task on his hands to do so, and Fabio Quartararo has stepped up as the flag-bearer for Yamaha and offered some advice to the struggling Turkish rider ahead of his maiden season in the premier class.
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Fabio Quartararo reveals the advice he gave Toprak Razgatlioglu during Buriram test struggles
During an interview with journalists following the conclusion of the final day of testing in Thailand, Quartararo revealed how he put aside his priorities to aid Razgatlioglu’s adaptation period.
The 2021 world champion said, via Speedweek, “My main concern was helping him rather than myself. I know Toprak as a Superbiker who’s used to always finishing in the top three, and here I saw him looking quite desperate.
“The timing isn’t very good for him – he joined Yamaha at a low point. There’s a lot to learn, especially regarding the tyres. I told him that it’s completely normal to feel that way as a newcomer.
“He needs to take the time he needs. We’re in the same situation, in the same boat, so it doesn’t hurt to support each other. I wish I’d had someone by my side in my first year to explain that to me.”
Jack Miller is another rider within the Yamaha stable who has aided the 29-year-old’s transition. Following their first public appearance together as teammates, Miller noted that Razgatlioglu doesn’t need a mentor, but will be there for him if, and when, he is called upon.
The 2027 MotoGP season is expected to be a truer reflection of the Pramac rider’s talents. With a year of riding in the premier class under his belt and a swathe of changes to the technical regulations, Razgatlioglu can start afresh and eye some strong results.
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Toprak Razgatlioglu has drawn a comparison between his first year in WSBK and MotoGP
On a more positive note, Razgatlioglu has previously compared his transition to MotoGP with his first year in the World Superbikes category.
He went on to become a three-time world champion in Superbikes, so the comparison can’t be dismissed entirely as a pessimistic outlook on his chances in Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
Of course, his transition hasn’t been helped by the fact that he is also now the tallest rider on the grid.
That means that Pramac has had to cater to MotoGP’s demands and remove some of the aerodynamic elements from the rear of his bike, due to the fact that he exceeds the category’s height limits.
While it is shaping up to be a very difficult year for the man in purple overalls, it will be fascinating to see how he adapts and grows towards prototype machinery as the season ensues.
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