The begin to the 2024 marketing campaign has to this point confirmed troublesome for Yamaha, although it nonetheless managed to snare 2021 world champion Quartararo to a new two-year deal past the tip of this season.
At Jerez – a observe Quartararo has gained at twice in MotoGP – the Frenchman scored an unlikely third in the 12-lap sprint amidst a spate of crashes forward of him, although was later penalised to fifth for having breached the minimum tyre pressure rule.
There have been no such heroics in the grand prix, both, as Quartararo struggled from a career-worst twenty third on the grid to attain a single level in fifteenth.
However his outcome was largely conditioned by the 2024 Yamaha’s weaknesses in turning, which led to Quartararo affected by arm pump.
“I imply from the start I made begin however [in the sprint] was additionally the issue that I had somewhat little bit of luck that all the pieces was actually good in entrance,” he mentioned.
“I made a terrific begin additionally [in the. Grand prix], however I didn’t handle to realize positions.
“And I imply we struggled from lap one with the rear grip, I struggled so much to show, I pressured the bike so much to activate the brakes and for me, I had a problem with the arm.
Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Manufacturing facility Racing
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
“So, from mid-race to the tip I needed to decelerate.
“If you end up driving actually tense, tight on the bike I used to be not nice. So, the final 10 laps I used to be simply cruising as a result of the arm was not proper.”
Quartararo misplaced the 2021 Spanish GP to Jack Miller as an arm pump challenge dropped him quickly down the order. He later had this operated on.
Requested if was shocked to have suffered the problem once more, Quartararo mentioned no because the bike has brought on it – albeit extra mildly – at different races this season.
“No, was not a shock,” he added.
“I imply, it occurs many occasions this yr nevertheless it was by no means actually a restrict.
“However if you really feel good on the bike you don’t have it, and if you really feel not alright you may have it.
“Some races I had it, however not that a lot and never that early.
Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Manufacturing facility Racing
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
“But it surely’s a part of our problem, additionally immediately [Sunday] we examined the bike somewhat bit this morning which we thought was higher. But it surely was a bit worse. That is what occurred.”
Quartararo additionally famous that, with the Yamaha’s present issues with turning and rear grip, Jerez is a circuit that exacerbates the bike’s flaws.
“It’s all the time the matter [of improving the bike],” he mentioned when requested if there was something he may do in regards to the arm pump.
“If you really feel good, all the pieces is ideal. If you end up driving like you might be forcing the bike so much, like this is likely one of the tracks that I feel is true now one of many worst for us as a result of the turning is the weak level [along] with the grip and on this observe, you want each.
“So, I anticipate Le Mans to be higher as a result of it’s extra about braking and I’ll really feel higher on that observe.”