Fabio Quartararo’s journey with Yamaha during the 2024 MotoGP season opener in Qatar highlighted a growing concern within the team. Despite entering the season with optimism, fueled by concessions and promising test performances, the race outcome underscored a widening gap between Yamaha and its competitors. Quartararo’s future with the Japanese manufacturer now seems more uncertain than ever.
In Qatar, Quartararo voiced his frustration, pointing out the team’s significant lag behind the leaders by 17 seconds—a clear indicator of their current struggles. “We’ve regressed compared to others, even though we’ve made progress with the M1 from last year,” Quartararo remarked, highlighting the team’s inability to keep pace with its rivals, including the European teams and even Honda, despite their own challenges.
Quartararo also reflected on his race start, where he closely followed Aleix Espargaró but soon realized Yamaha’s former advantage, particularly in long corners, had vanished. This, according to Quartararo, is where Yamaha’s current weakness lies, and the team is keen on understanding the reasons behind this setback.
The 2021 World Champion pinpointed the major issue with Yamaha not at the end of the race but at the beginning, when the tires are new. “We lose the most during qualifications and the initial laps. That’s when our race is essentially decided,” he explained, puzzled by the team’s inability to maintain a fast pace from the start.
This ongoing dilemma raises significant concerns about Quartararo’s future with Yamaha, especially with his contract ending in 2024. His undeniable talent has attracted attention from other teams, and Quartararo himself has not ruled out the possibility of leaving, a decision that could hinge on future performances. “It’s complicated because I know my potential and where I could be,” he admitted, hinting at potential major changes if the situation does not improve.
As Quartararo and Yamaha navigate these challenges, the MotoGP world watches closely, anticipating the possible shifts in alliances and strategies that could reshape the future of the sport.