For the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team Director, Massimo Meregalli, the summer break allows us to take stock of the first part of the 2021 MotoGP season and, it is obvious, it is a good one.
Of course, the Italian must face the inconsistencies of Maverick Vinales, and even at his announced departure, but on the other side of the box it is a Fabio Quartararo who has progressed enormously in maturity who leads the drivers' championship with 34 points ahead of Johann Zarco and who allows Yamaha to lead the battle of the manufacturers 17 points ahead of Ducati.
Obviously, nothing is certain yet to recover the driver, constructor and team titles, the last of which date back to 2015, with Jorge Lorenzo et Valentino Rossi, but the season is particularly well underway for Iwata’s men…
Deliberately cautious after the 2020 season which is also well underway, Massimo Meregalli spoke on the official website MotoGP.com in Assen, after the fourth victory of fabio quartararo : “ After the disappointment of last year, we really wanted a better package for 2021, faster and more consistent, because if you remember we suffered in these areas last year. I think I can say that we were able to achieve these two objectives overall, because we were able to win races on fast tracks but also circuits like Assen where you need turning.
So far we have also been able to make some developments: we have introduced the holeshot device at the front which also gives us good performance.
We are satisfied overall, and without the problem that Fabio suffered at Jerez, we could have won 5 races instead of 4, although 4 wins and 2 third places is a very good record so far. »
After this general presentation,
“Maio” precise : " I think Fabio probably suffered a bit in the first Grand Prix, maybe because of some pressure, but from the second GP he started to win. I think he showed that he didn't win in Qatar by chance, because then he immediately won in Portugal, he was close to winning in Jerez without the compartment syndrome problem, then he won in Mugello (and in Assen).
So his performances are very strong, and consistent as he also got on the podium in a wet race, which is probably not his favorite circumstance so far.
I think even though he's only 22, he's very mature. I see in particular how he works and prepares for races with his team. It was a really good surprise. He is very determined but what impressed me the most is that he is having fun. He struggles in every session but he enjoys it and that's an additional positive point. »
