Fabio Quartararo is very fast in Malaysia, as is often the case year after year. Remember 2022 and that lost title race against Pecco Bagnaia. Without hope for the end of the season, he nevertheless managed to grab a podium at Sepang and thus delay the Italian's coronation. Once again during this overseas tour, Yamaha is doing not too bad, and even better than that, since the two YZR-M1s are sent directly to Q2! Quite incredible when you think about it, but not as much as Quartararo's sixth place at the end of Practice.
The Frenchman was happy with this first day in Malaysia, and there was reason to be so. « I must say it was a good day. I knew I was going to struggle for my fast lap, plus I got a yellow flag on my first try. But I knew I could be quick, because it had been a long time since I had a feeling like this morning. We changed the electronics, I drive in a completely different way now. It's difficult, and sometimes I border on the highside, but I'm still happy » he declared in the columns of GPOne.
“El Diablo” notes the recent progress of Yamaha, which is also confirmed by the direct qualification in Q2 of Alex Rins. « We have never before taken this approach in terms of electronics. We have nothing to lose, after all. We are already preparing for next year. I don't know how Alex Rins did it, but personally, the bike suited me.
There are still some improvements to be made, especially regarding grip and handling. In any case, we are limited from an engine point of view”
he continued.
Photo :
Michelin Motorsport
Since 2022, a famous engine manufacturer who worked with Ferrari in F1 named Luca Marmorini has been working in the shadows to advance the firm in tune. According to Quartararo, he has never been in such demand. « This year, I spoke more to Marmorini than to my own mother! We've been talking for a very long time. At the start of the season, I didn't fully believe in his ideas, but we are making progress. I actually tried a new engine during free practice, but I had to stop after less than two laps due to a problem. This result has nothing to do with the new engine »
he concluded.
Do you think Fabio Quartararo capable of climbing into the top 5 tomorrow or Sunday? Tell us in the comments!
MotoGP Practice result at the 2024 Malaysian Grand Prix:
Ranking credit: MotoGP.com
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport
