Fabio Quartararo mentioned after a troublesome Friday on the Thai Grand Prix that he “nonetheless would not suppose there’s a clear route” on how Yamaha’s 2026 MotoGP bike shall be developed.
Yamaha’s new V4 undertaking didn’t begin in earnest till 2026 following severe technical points on the Sepang take a look at and the bike’s total lack of pace.
Fabio Quartararo set the quickest Yamaha time at Friday’s Thai Grand Prix, however completed sixteenth, 1.358 seconds off the tempo.
“We all know how tough it’s to enhance a two-tenth time, particularly after two days of testing (on the identical course), so it is nonetheless a great distance off,” he mentioned on Friday.
“In fact, we’re nonetheless very distant, however not less than I attempted my finest.”
Quartararo doesn’t suppose Yamaha at the moment has a transparent route on methods to develop the V4 M1, warning that the brand new engine might not be prepared till the French Grand Prix in Might.
“I do not suppose there’s a clear route but,” he added.
“We’re attempting to determine it out, however not less than I am working with the workforce and attempting to do my finest.
“I do not know when it’ll come out, however I do not suppose there shall be any (new) engines till not less than Le Mans. I am not 100% positive, however I do not suppose there shall be any in Brazil, the US or Qatar.”
Quartararo: A bit of too optimistic in regards to the bike
The 2021 world champion overcame a irritating winter with the V4 M1, with Quartararo giving his bike the center finger on the primary day of the Buriram take a look at.
He now admits he was “too optimistic” in regards to the bike’s potential this 12 months and is attempting to strategy the season with extra calm.
“I talked to my workforce members and engineers, and I believe we had been slightly too optimistic in regards to the potential of the bike,” he defined.
“I do know what the chances are, and I do not wish to go loopy or make errors.
“I believe that is crucial factor, particularly in terms of my picture. I am attempting to take all the pieces extra calmly.”
Quartararo’s finest lap in Friday’s free apply in Buriram turned out to be round 0.4 seconds slower than the time he achieved in the identical session final 12 months with an inline-four M1.
He’ll face a troublesome Q1 group on Saturday morning, together with Ducati’s Pecco Bagnaia and Honda’s Luca Marini.
