Massimo Meregalli, the Sports Director of the Yamaha factory involved in MotoGP, said his word during the official presentation of the Iwata troops with a view to a 2022 season promised to consist of 21 games across the planet. We will therefore have to go the distance and it will also be a mental challenge. “Maio” talks about it and will even highlight this human relationship to definitively convince Fabio Quartararo to stay. An approach which implies that, on the technical side, the new M1 will not be able, on its own, to convince the French World Champion...
Massimo Meregalli gave some clues on the situation of Yamaha in MotoGP. This while, in a few hours, the tenors of the category will make their first laps of the year at Sepang for tests which will give clear indications on the forces present… Tests which will also influence the decisions to be taken for 2023…
A subject that concerns fabio quartararo whose contract with Yamaha ends at the end of this year, while his teammate's lease Morbidely continues until 2023. The future of the tricolor, reigning World Champion, is a theme that is not taken lightly at Iwata: “ we are in constant contact with Fabio's manager, we will try to find an agreement as soon as possible: this is our number one priority. I am convinced that an agreement can be reached » says Meregalli. “ “ In 2021, Fabio took a big step forward mentally: he handled the pressure very well, he knew exactly what he wanted. The objective is only one: to repeat, to do even better than last year ».
Massimo Meregalli: “engine power is not the only thing that matters"
This " agreement as soon as possible » will it come after the tests in Malaysia at the end of which “El Diablo” will perhaps have had the satisfaction of riding a Yamaha holding out to the formidable Ducati in a straight line ? On this point, Meregalli do not reassure: “ it is clear that one of the objectives is to have more power, but that's not the only thing that matters, aerodynamics is also very important » corrects the Italian. “ In 2021 we won on very fast circuits like Qatar or Mugello, we were also very competitive in Barcelona before Quartararo's problem with his suit. In the past we have taken steps in the wrong direction, regarding the engine: we have learned this lesson, you should be careful ».
But then, what arguments Meregalli does he put on the table? Those which relate to human relations: “ serenity inside the box is one of the keys to success » he assures. “ The environment, the atmosphere are very important. In this regard, in 2021 we have taken a good step forward. The new people who arrived with Quartararo and his technicians were immediately integrated into the team, there was a lot of collaboration like never before: I believe that this relationship, this mood and this atmosphere are fundamental ».
This mention of Meregalli addresses directly to fabio quartararo and his people in a box Yamaha who, let us remember, experienced a relationship crisis with a Maverick Vinales far from the canons of the serenity " and some " good atmosphere » mentioned. The Italian wants to believe that a bond has been born with the Frenchman, a guarantee of a glorious long-term adventure. Who would remember another one recently completed?
