This Sunday, May 1, 2022, fabio quartararo answered questions from journalists from the Jerez – Ángel Nieto circuit at the end of the official MotoGP IRTA test day.
Waiting a new fairing that will arrive at Mugello, Yamaha had prepared a new front fender and a new swingarm that the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team rider was able to try, as well as the larger Brembo discs and some tuning updates that he didn't have was able to try it during the Grand Prix weekend on the Jerez de la Frontera track.
As usual, we report here the words of Fabio Quartararo without the slightest formatting, even if it is partially translated (vouvoiement in English, tutoiement in French).
fabio quartararo : " We tried a front mudguard, swingarm and 350mm discs. To test the swingarm, we did it in two consecutive times and it took quite a while. We also tried last year's settings here, and that's it, nothing special. »
Would you say the swingarm provides an improvement?
« It seems like it's a little better but it's by looking at the data that you can see that it's a little better. »
Is the feeling more or less the same?
« Yes, the feeling is more or less the same but at Le Mans we will start with the standard and if we have any doubts about the rear grip it will be something we keep in mind to try. »
So the idea is that this swingarm provides a little more rear grip?
« Yes exactly ! That was the plan. I think the one I tried was the one I had the last time I was here. We tried it and it seems to be a little better, but nothing spectacular. »
Have you tested the big Brembo discs for yourself, because it's not really a circuit that requires them?
« Overall, we didn't try them for here: we tested them for the future. On some circuits like in Austria last year we had no problem with the 340mm but we were playing with the limit. I'm thinking of tracks like in Thailand or Motegi, where both are quite demanding on the brakes. So we mainly tried them to get my feeling with the brakes, because I never use the 320 mm. I've always used the 340mm since I started in MotoGP, and it's slightly different. It took me a few laps to adapt and so the first time I braked it was different. But in the end I got used to it and I was able to do 37.8 with a 20 lap tire, so I adapted well (laughs). »
You've done some initial experiments: Have you tried anything in particular?
« Nothing in particular. I didn't have a problem. Lately my starts have been very good but I wanted to try something with the clutch. I had that in mind during the weekend but I didn't want to change because I always had good starts. I didn't want to change and since I knew we were going to have the test on Monday to try... And I tried, but overall it was worse so we went back to our standards. »
Yamaha will bring you a new fairing at Mugello?
« We will have it at Mugello. Normally. I'm pushing quite a bit for that because Mugello and Barcelona are two circuits where overall top speed is, of course, going to be a problem, but when you're coming from a fast corner it's a little less. Here, with the fins we had this year, we had a massive improvement in top speed. We could keep the wheel on the ground a lot more. But in Mugello and Barcelona it will be very important. I think this is one or two cases where we will make a difference with less aerodynamics. I don't know how, but it will be important. »
We know that Yamaha can't bring you the most important things you want, but are you satisfied with the efforts they are making?
« The efforts ? Overall I think every manufacturer brings something to try, it's not strange, but they bring what they can and what they think is good for this year, but I'm still pushing hard to have something regarding top speed because I know our potential is also very good this year. Even though we don't take a big step forward with the bike, I feel like I'm riding a lot better than last year. So we have to continue to attack a lot. »
How is the mudguard you tried different?
« The shape is really similar to one we got last year, the one with the hole above, but this one doesn't have the hole. It is used for cooling. Maybe it brings something extra in really hot conditions, and that's why we tested it. Of course, for me, there was no difference and it's more in the data that we will see if it is better or not. »
When you talk about cooling, are you talking about cooling the tire?
« Of the motor. »
You don't plan to use the big brakes on all the circuits?
« No, I think these are brakes that we will only use in Austria, Motegi and Thailand. It was to see my feeling, because we have no problem with the 340mm, so we will continue to use them. »
MotoGP test results:
Ranking credit: MotoGP.com
