This time, there is no longer any doubt: it is a safe bet that the two Grands Prix experienced in Jerez which resulted in so many victories for Fabio Quartararo, doubles and even triples for drivers equipped with M1 have been a flash in the pan. Because while the trophies were piling up, the engines were breaking down. They were sent to Japan and came back with the mention valve manufacturing defect. At least that's what the rumor says. On the other hand, what is not a noise is this authorization requested from other manufacturers to be able to carry out in-depth work on the engine to resolve the problem. An authorization for the moment refused by Honda which obviously plays into its own interests…
In the meantime, to avoid finding yourself without any more valid engines in its allocation of five per pilot, Yamaha would have reduced the maximum speed of its mechanics by 300 rpm. An approach that can only be felt on a route like the Red Bull Ring which requires power and traction. But the M1 no longer has any of its strengths. A lack already detected in Brno, but more attributed to the state of the asphalt and the use of the tires.
On this delicate subject, Valentino Rossi, fabio quartararo et Maverick Vinales were questioned. And their embarrassed or evasive response betrayed a certain unease. The Doctor declared: “ in terms of top speed, we are still suffering. In any case, our motorcycle also seems to have other problems, so we must try to solve them. They mentioned they would open the engines, but honestly I want to focus on my job and what we need to do to improve the tuning of the bike. For these things you have to talk to Yamaha, I don't know much ».
fabio quartararo commented for his part: “ well, I really have no idea, but actually... no idea »… He also did not respond to the fact that Yamaha lowered the revs to preserve the engines: “ the truth is that I hope to have more power, but I have no idea about the situation, maybe it's a question for our team members ».
“I feel like I’m riding another motorcycle”
Without opening up openly about this major problem, Maverick Vinales is more verbose, as if he wants us to read between the lines: “ we are trying to understand the reason for this difference in performance with Jerez. On Friday I didn't have much confidence in the front and bad feelings in the rear. I felt like I was riding another bike, I was struggling in the middle of the corner, I had no grip. I want to focus on this problem ».
« Others are fast with these tires, we also need to understand how to use them » added the Spaniard. “ Honestly, we got a little lost and we'll have to be quick to make the right moves. As had already happened in previous years, the motorcycle drove on one track and not on another. We need to understand what's going on or it will become frustrating. My goal is to improve my feelings this weekend and then resolve the problem ».
This Friday in Styria is Franco Morbidelli who showed himself to be the least impacted by this new situation at Yamaha , by entering the top 5. If this situation of mechanical crisis persists at Yamaha , there will be a large sharing of points, which can only arrange a Marc Marquez powerless for the moment. But when he returns, his handicap to overcome will undoubtedly be less than if a single driver had asserted himself as the new boss. Honda is therefore in no hurry to give his discharge to Yamaha to open its engine...
MotoGP Red Bull Ring 1 J1: times
