With eight podiums and six victories in fourteen races this season, the Petronas Yamaha team would have every reason to be satisfied with its season. And yet... The points were shared between the two drivers Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli to such an extent that the first missed the title until collapsing within sight of the finish line while the second, taking off late, must resolve to the place of vice-world champion of Joan Mir. However, it is indeed the crown that the Malaysian colors wanted…
At Petronas Yamaha, we cannot decently regret the course of a season where its drivers almost won half of the events at stake, while the team, with satellite status Yamaha a laminated factory one in terms of results. Certainly, but something is missing. And that's not nothing: the title of World Drivers' Champion. That access to being the best team on the board MotoGP do not console...
The proof with the team manager Wilco Zeelenberg which cannot hide the frustration of the objective otherwise well and truly designated: “ If you had told me before the start of the season that we would have had these results, I would have replied: “that never happens”. But in sports you always want more and it was of course the world title. He moved away from us. Because without Marc, the title was clearly the objective from everyone. However, the reality is different. This year once again showed how difficult it is to become world champion ».
Public chat speedweek the same Zeelenberg continues: “ we had two drivers in the team who won races and both fought for the championship, which always makes us proud. However, we would have preferred the results to be more consistent, especially from Fabio ».
Petronas Yamaha: “the title was clearly the objective”
The team manager focuses on the Frenchman’s case: “ he still put the machine in the top three in the final races of 2019, but he didn't win any races then. This year, it was the opposite: three victories, but no other podiums. This is something that concerns us. We can look for 100 explanations for this, but it's the reality ».
Despite three Grand Prix victories, fabio quartararo is ultimately only 8th overall. In the last six races he has only managed to score 19 points. “ In 2019 we were able to fight and keep pace in every race and always stayed within the “performance window” " to analyse Zeelenberg. " This year it was different. Fabio rode a new 2020 factory machine this year. But it was a completely new bike that reacted differently than expected on certain tracks and in certain situations. Then we have to try to find a configuration for the machine that makes the rider feel comfortable. Unfortunately, we did not succeed ».
A statement of failure therefore. What will happen in 2021? Already there will be Valentino Rossi in the walls, alongside a Franco Morbidelli which has changed dimension this season…
