It's time to talk about last weekend's star. fabio quartararo, 2021 MotoGP world champion, had a very convincing French Grand Prix. Even if it ended in a fall on Sunday, that is not the important thing. What to remember from this performance? Is this the start of a revival for Yamaha? Response elements.
The hero
The first point of this analysis concerns his celebrity. Present throughout the weekend, he never let the pressure linked to his national GP crush him. Nobody talked about it, but it's ultimately quite rare for a driver to embrace so well the love given to him by a record number of spectators, what's more. Here, Yamaha played the game, offering a special decoration on the Frenchman’s YZR-M1 – which I also found very successful. It's a communication move that strengthens the link between "El Diablo" and Iwata's company, reminding everyone that he is one of those special pilots, who may deserve this kind of treatment.
He was acclaimed, and it's good to see the fans' support for a driver who is struggling in the general classification, if we compare his results with those of his glory years, of course. Loyalty is there, and it’s good for the sport. This means that this audience is not that volatile. It is a good basis enjoyed by the MotoGP before the company Liberty Medium does not actually start. Indeed, an Americanization of sport – which would suit Fabio Quartararo's profile quite well – should lead, if we rely on other disciplines across the Atlantic, to a change in the public. Fans would become more fond of the show than of those who do it. But I have already talked about that in a long analysis devoted to the new owner of the MotoGP brand, which I invite you to read by clicking here.
To summarize, I am happy that the French public is paying such tribute to someone who pays them back. We can thank Fabio Quartararo and Johann Zarco for that, they who have never been afraid to shine the tricolor flag on the biggest world stage.
This crowd ❤️@FabioQ20 salutes his home fans and gives away some goodies 🧤#FrenchGP 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/5FrxfUmNZ3
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) May 12, 2024
A significant performance?
On the track, he delighted us. Already present in Q2, he qualified eighth, okay, but only three hundredths behind Pedro Acosta, one tenth behind Marco Bezzecchi and in front of Enea Bastianini. We absolutely must not forget, but on one lap, Fabio was one of the best. Even though Jorge Martin is revolutionizing the practice of pole position, Quartararo was just as impressive in the past, even with inferior equipment during the 2019 season for example.
Then, a good effort during the Sprint, finished in tenth position. During the Grand Prix, he held on to sixth place before his fall, but the latter was not detrimental. Firstly, he doesn't play anything in the championship, and secondly, it just shows that he wants it, that he was determined to leave a strong impression for this French Grand Prix. It is to his credit.
But is this the start of something at Yamaha? I do not think so. I had already expressed doubts about their return to the top of the basket before the introduction of the new regulations in 2027. But this single performance does not make me happy for the future. As Alex Rins, his teammate, said, the problems are known and still there.
And then, last year, for example, let's not forget that he got on the podium three times, in the United States, India and Indonesia. However, the YZR-M1 is still just as recalcitrant in the vast majority of cases. Through his talent, Fabio Quartararo biases opinion and suggests progress. In my humble opinion, which seems to be that of Rins by the way, the tuning fork firm is still far from the mark.
A blank year in sight?
Yamaha, since the creation of the team as we know it today, in 1999, has always scored at least one podium per year with the exception of the disastrous 2003 season. Carlos Checa and Marco Melandri (sometimes helped by Norifumi Abe) did not do better than three fourth places, all of which came from “El Toro” Checa.
If we take Quartararo's performance in reverse, it doesn't make you dream. Imagine this: one of the best riders in the world, champion three years ago, at home, full of confidence, was sixth before crashing, giving his all and maybe more. The podium was light years away. Absent exceptional circumstances, I don't see how a YZR-M1 could take one of the two riders on the box in a Sunday race. It is possible, of course, because the Quartararo factor is there, and will be there to take advantage of good opportunities – one of its big strengths in 2023.
But for his teammate, it's much more difficult. On the occasion of this little word concerning Alex Rins, I can only express my disappointment. I didn't expect it to be at the top, of course, but certainly not so low, below what Franco Morbidelli offered on an equal machine for example. He is only just starting out, but I will have the opportunity to talk about him again next week because his case deserves analysis.
What did you think of our devil Fabio Quartararo's race? Tell me in the comments!
As a reminder, this article only reflects the thoughts of its author, and not of the entire editorial team.
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport