It’s no secret that Yamaha Factory Racing team is currently navigating a turbulent sea. With the 2024 season on the horizon, the team’s star rider, Fabio Quartararo, has sounded a warning that reverberates through the paddock – a warning that could make or break their upcoming campaign.
Quartararo, the 2021 world champion, recently expressed his concerns about the 2024 Yamaha engine prototype during testing at Misano. His disappointment was palpable, as he had expected more from this crucial phase of development. “I tested it, and the feeling was… I expected much better,” Quartararo candidly shared. “The feeling is different, but I think I expected more power.”
What’s intriguing, though, is the stark contrast in opinions within the Yamaha camp. Massimo Meregalli, the team director, remained optimistic, stating that they achieved what they set out to accomplish with the new engine. According to Meregalli, the engine was slightly faster and easier to ride, aligning with their expectations.
However, Quartararo believes that his comments, as the rider who ultimately feels the bike’s nuances, should be taken more seriously. He emphasized the importance of alignment between the rider and the team, warning that if they don’t get on the same page, the 2024 season could be a repeat of their current hardships.
This isn’t the first time Quartararo has expressed his frustration with Yamaha. In the early part of the 2023 season, he admitted to being “a bit too arrogant”. He acknowledged the need to remain polite and work collaboratively with the team to overcome their challenges.
One of Quartararo’s primary concerns has been Yamaha’s lack of power, a problem that seems to persist with the 2024 engine prototype. This issue has hindered his ability to overtake other riders during races, making it difficult for him to maintain a competitive edge. Surprisingly, this is not a recent issue. Quartararo had already voiced his concerns at the end of his championship-winning 2021 season, stating that he “cannot win anymore with this bike.”
The contrast between rider and team opinions, coupled with their persistent challenges, paints a picture of a team at a crossroads. The question that looms over Yamaha Factory Racing now is whether they can bridge this divide, align their goals, and turn their fortunes around for the 2024 MotoGP season.
We can only hope that the team and Fabio Quartararo find common ground, tackle their hardships head-on, and emerge stronger than ever. The 2024 season awaits, and the road ahead is uncertain, but one thing is for sure – the world of MotoGP is in for an exciting ride in 2024 with Yamaha Factory Racing at the center of the storm.
