Story Highlight
– Quartararo struggles with Yamaha’s lack of race speed.
– Dominates qualifying but falls back during races.
– Criticizes Yamaha’s engine compared to rivals’ V4s.
– New V4 engine development aims for 2026 release.
– Quartararo demands immediate improvements for better grip.
Full Story
Fabio Quartararo has demonstrated impressive performances during qualifying sessions in the MotoGP, yet he frequently struggles during the races. The persistent issue seems to be a lack of racing speed from Yamaha’s machinery.
For the 2025 season, Quartararo remains the only rider able to challenge Marc Márquez for pole positions. The French rider has secured the top starting spot four times this season, clinching pole at Jerez, Le Mans, Silverstone, and Assen. However, this qualifying success has not translated into race results, with his only podium finish as a second place in the Spanish Grand Prix. At the recent race in Brno, starting from third position, he could only manage a sixth-place finish, trailing the winner by 11 seconds. “I was chanceless,” Quartararo lamented after being overtaken by two Ducatis, two Aprilias, and a KTM.
One of Quartararo’s primary concerns is Yamaha’s engine. While competitors Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia employ V4 engines, Yamaha sticks with a four-cylinder in-line setup. “Ducati has one chassis, KTM another, and Aprilia a different one—but we face the same weaknesses against all of them,” he explained. “So the issue lies with the engine. The only commonality among the others is the V4.”
Reports from Motorsport.com indicate that Yamaha has initiated the development of its own V4 engine, with test riders Augusto Fernández and Andrea Dovizioso having recently put a prototype through its paces. Initially projected for deployment mid-2025, a more realistic timeline appears to be set for 2026, depending on whether the new engine can outperform the existing model.
Quartararo expressed his concerns about grip, stating, “Grip. That’s what we are missing. We lose too much during braking and at corner entry.” He also noted that when racing in a group, he struggles significantly: “When I ride alone, I can push to the limit. But in the pack, I lose rear grip, power, and aerodynamics—basically everything.”
Despite extending his contract with Yamaha until the end of 2026 earlier this year, Quartararo’s patience is wearing thin. He has not celebrated a victory since his triumph at the Sachsenring in 2022, and his disappointment was palpable after leading in Silverstone before a technical failure dashed his hopes.
Though faced with significant frustration, Quartararo remains committed to the team: “We are working hard to resolve these issues.” The efficacy of the future V4 project and immediate upgrades will be critical for keeping him competitive in the championship, with time running out for the Iwata-based team.
