2021 world champion Fabio Quartararo has revealed that Yamaha’s recent improvement in performance is attributed to an electronics adjustment that allows riders to have more control over the throttle. This positive change was evident in the recent Malaysian Grand Prix where Quartararo and his teammate Alex Rins both qualified in the top 10 for the first time in the challenging 2024 season.
Quartararo humorously mentioned that he is now “much more the traction control” due to the changes made in the electronics department. He emphasized that despite the increased difficulty in controlling the throttle, the team has achieved better performance, which was the ultimate goal. Rins also echoed Quartararo’s sentiments, expressing his satisfaction with having more control over the bike, especially during spins.
Additionally, Yamaha introduced a new engine in Malaysia, aiming to enhance its performance. While Quartararo faced setbacks due to a broken engine and a first-corner incident, Rins was able to utilize the new motor effectively. Rins noted that the new engine worked better for the electronics strategy, providing a positive experience for the team.
Looking back at the recent races in the Asia-Pacific region, Quartararo highlighted the progress made by Yamaha. Despite facing challenges in Japan, the team showed great pace in Australia, Mandalika, and Thailand. The positive results from these races have set a good foundation for the upcoming season, with Quartararo expressing optimism about the team’s future performance.
In preparation for the post-season test at Barcelona, Quartararo emphasized the importance of this opportunity for Yamaha to improve. Barcelona has been a challenging track for the team in recent years due to low grip levels. Quartararo believes that the test at Barcelona will be beneficial in addressing this weakness and further enhancing Yamaha’s competitiveness in the next season.