Quartararo shocked by lack of MotoGP engine progress by Yamaha

The 2021 world champion stated “one thing went fallacious” after the quicker engine that he had beforehand examined in Misano produced the identical pace as his 2022 engine.

He stated the workforce’s take a look at rider Cal Crutchlow had examined the motor at each Motegi and Jerez, the place it produced extra horsepower, nevertheless it failed to take action at Circuit Ricardo Tormo.

Quartararo had beforehand praised the 2023 engine and stated it was a “huge enchancment” after the Misano take a look at in September.

However this comes off the again of Yamaha being pressured to ditch the engine it had deliberate to make use of in 2022 within the winter owing to reliability points, leaving him with a unit nearer in efficiency to the 2021 spec for this season.

Talking after Tuesday’s take a look at in Valencia, Quartararo stated: “I am shocked as a result of truly this engine was alleged to be a little bit bit quicker than the one we examined in Misano and Barcelona and I discovered that it was the identical as two days in the past, particularly on the qualifying lap.

“We in contrast the pace and it was the identical, so we’ve to analyse what occurred as a result of additionally we’ve two exams, Misano, Barcelona then Cal make Motegi and Jerez they usually see the distinction on the engine.

“However proper now, there was no distinction, so we’ve to analyse rather well what occurred.”

He added: “The factor is, usually this engine has extra horsepower and in Jerez Cal tried it and it was clearly higher.

“However proper now, we verify like I stated earlier than, high pace with final yr is identical.

“So there will likely be an issue for certain, not within the engine however one thing occurred that we did not have this further energy that we have been anticipating.”

Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Manufacturing facility Racing

Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Quartararo clocked 327.4kph on Tuesday, 8kph slower than newly topped world champion Francesco Bagnaia, whose manufacturing unit Ducati hit 335.4kph.

Teammate Franco Morbidelli additionally struggled, with a high pace of 325.8kph.

Requested by Motorsport.com whether or not he was disenchanted, he added: “In fact, it isn’t the best way I needed to finish the yr. However on the finish, one thing went fallacious.

“It is not attainable that in Misano and Barcelona, we really feel an enchancment after which proper now immediately, there may be nothing.

‘I imply, one thing went fallacious, however I assume for Franco was the identical as a result of I see he’s additionally fairly on the underside within the pace.

“I had just one slipstream in order that’s why I went 327 I feel. Whenever you verify the highest guys in entrance, it is fairly excessive, so we’ve to analyse.”

Yamaha additionally examined a brand new aero package deal, of which Quartararo stated he might “really feel the distinction,” and examined a rear wing which he stated “could be one thing attention-grabbing.”

The Frenchman stated: “You are feeling the distinction, however you’ll be able to’t actually say if it is higher or not, as a result of in aero package deal principally with the larger wing you have got much less wheelie, however you do not know when you lose extra in high pace or in acceleration, on braking.

“So that is extra work the place it is advisable to verify within the information, as a result of in my feeling is you’ll be able to see that okay, we’ve much less wheelie, we’ve extra wheelie, however then in lap time or the information you’ll be able to see higher.”