MotoGP Malaysia J1, Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha/6): "This year, I talked more to my engine engineer than to my mother"

Fabio Quartararo is very fast in Malaysia, as is often the case year after year. Remember 2022 and that title race lost against Pecco Bagnaia. With no hope at the end of the season, he had nevertheless managed to grab a podium in Sepang and thus delay the Italian's coronation. Once again during this overseas tour, Yamaha is doing quite well, and even better than that, since both YZR-M1s are sent straight to Q2! Pretty incredible when you think about it, but not as much as Quartararo's sixth place at the end of Practice.

The Frenchman was happy with his first day in Malaysia, and with good reason. « I have to say it was a good day. I knew I was going to have a hard time with my fast lap, and on top of that, I got a yellow flag on my first try. But I knew I could be fast, because it had been a long time since I had a feeling like this morning. We changed the electronics, I ride in a completely different way now. It's hard, and sometimes I'm close to the highside, but I'm still happy. » he declared in the columns of GP One.

 

 

"El Diablo" notes Yamaha's recent progress, which is also confirmed by Alex Rins' direct qualification in Q2. « We had never taken this approach before in terms of electronics.. We have nothing to lose, after all. We are already preparing for next year. I don't know how Alex Rins did it, but personally, the bike suited me. There are still some improvements to be made, particularly in grip and handling.. In any case, we are limited from the engine point of view." he continued.

 

 

Since 2022, a famous engine designer who has been with Ferrari in F1 named Luca Marmorini has been working in the shadows to advance the tuning fork firm. According to Quartararo, he has never been so in demand. « This year I talked to Marmorini more than I did to my own mother! We have been talking for a long time. At the beginning of the season, I didn't fully believe in his ideas, but we are making progress. I also tried a new engine in free practice, but I had to stop after less than two laps due to a problem. This result has nothing to do with the new engine » he concluded.

Do you think Fabio Quartararo is capable of reaching the top 5 tomorrow or Sunday? Tell us in the comments!

MotoGP Practice Result at the 2024 Malaysian Grand Prix:

 

 

Classification credit: MotoGP.com

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport