This year, Fabio Quartararo will be in the spotlight.The Frenchman didn't mince words regarding the new package provided by Yamaha and continues to express serious doubts about the V4 prototype just one day before the start of the season. Currently, "El Diablo" is also preoccupied with his future. Sources linked him to Honda even before the start of testing at Sepang, but everything seems clearer now: the 2021 world champion has made his decision. He's speaking at length before the season begins.
Before discussing the future, Quartararo spoke about the present. And the least one can say is that he displayed unabashed honesty in answering the questions of speedweek. « I don't think we're in a position, at the moment, to think about a result.I have no expectations; I'm simply trying to stay calm and make the best of this situation. During the bike tests last September in Barcelona, the results weren't very good, but that was normal for a brand new project. The feeling is much the same today.We had hoped to make a much bigger leap forward, but unfortunately, that's not the case. he declared.
This doesn't bode well. According to him, nothing helps, not even hundreds of changes in a few months. « You can't imagine the number of settings and things we tried at Sepang and BuriramBut the sensations have remained the same. It's up to the engineers to find a new and completely different solution to finally have a benchmark, which is still not the case. Here in the race simulation, we were eight-tenths of a second slower per lap compared to last year's tests." he added.
In some respects, he even comes to miss the four-player online format. “More than just a reference point, we need to improve the performance of the motorcycle We're still very slow. We need to improve not only top speed, but also corner entry precision, front tire feel, and we also need to make progress with the electronics. There's so much to improve. Our current priority must be grip and corner entry precision. The feel of the front tire we had with the inline four-cylinder motorcycle was incredible » he continued.
Finally, he stated that he had made a choice for 2027, which helped him approach this season more calmly. « I can't tell you much about my future, but I've made my decision.That's a mental relief; I have nothing more to add. he concluded.
Where do you think he signed? Tell us in the comments!
Photo: Michelin Motorsport
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport
