Another very good performance from Fabio Quartararo in Catalonia during the main race. If the international achievement did not show us his efforts, he finished 10th on the track, but reclassified 9th due to the relegation of Enea Bastianini at the finish. The results are rather encouraging: first Yamaha, first Japanese motorcycle, five seconds from the top 5 and less than two seconds from Brad Binder, who nevertheless seemed to have a powerful package in Montmelo. There are reasons for hope.
It is a rather happy Fabio Quartararo that we find at the end of this Grand Prix. « Given our current level, it's positive. We confirmed our Le Mans form, and the sensations were even better than expected. Recent improvements allow us to enter corners more easily, and to be better in curves. The aero that we have there will allow us to progress » he said simply as he got off his machine. Yesterday, he had already predicted a top 10 if conditions were suitable. Mission accomplished.
Ain't no party like a @Monster Energy Rig Party 🌋#MonsterYamaha | #MotoGP | #CatalanGP | #FQ20 | #FabioQuartararo | # AR42 | #AlexRins pic.twitter.com/j9FkZVbixK
- Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP (@YamahaMotoGP) May 25, 2024
The Frenchman seems very happy with the updates, and the private driving time that is coming this season. « Recording as much data as possible is essential. Yamaha never took this approach, but now the improvements are fully focused on our weak points. It's just small steps, but for a year and a half we were stuck. So we seem to see the light » he added.
Asked about the formidable race and this battle promised to the three favorites for the world crown, Fabio also spoke. « The favorite for the title? I do not care. Bagnaia manages to recover even when he falls on Saturday, that's why I consider him the strongest » he added. Having dealt with him during 2022, he knows better than anyone that we must be wary of the Ducati n°1.
Massimo Meregalli, the team director, corroborates his words. « Our team had two very different experiences today. Fabio got the most out of our package during the race. He made sure he was in the right place at the right time and did a great job capitalizing on every passing opportunity. We can't be satisfied with ninth place overall, but given the difficulties we encountered this weekend, we are happy to take these seven points. »
Photo: Michelin Motorsport
He pursues : « Álex, for his part, had a day to forget. From start to finish, nothing went the way he wanted. Luckily we have another race weekend next week. We will now go to Mugello, where we have just done testing, which will give him the opportunity to make a quick return"
Do you think Yamaha can return to the middle of the table? Tell us in the comments!
MotoGP 2024 Catalan Grand Prix result:
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport
