Fabio Quartararo has recently made headlines with his impressive performance during the pre-season testing in Sepang, Malaysia, where he demonstrated significant improvements in Yamaha’s performance. The 25-year-old French rider has been one of the standout figures since the start of testing, showing a remarkable ability to compete with the traditionally faster Ducati machines. Quartararo’s performance has drawn attention as he described the advancements made by Yamaha as the most significant since 2019, marking a substantial leap forward for the team.
In this article, we’ll explore Quartararo’s performance in Sepang, the progress Yamaha has made over the winter break, and the implications for their 2025 MotoGP season. We will also examine how Quartararo’s feedback on the new Yamaha M1 signals potential for more competitive results in the upcoming races.
Quartararo’s Impressive Performance in Sepang: A Sign of Progress
The pre-season testing in Sepang kicked off with intense anticipation as riders and teams prepared for the new season. Quartararo, who has been one of Yamaha’s key riders in recent years, was eager to show the progress the team had made during the off-season. By the end of the first testing session, Quartararo had already positioned himself as one of the fastest riders on the track, completing a best lap time of 1:56.724.
This lap time was not only a personal best for Quartararo, but it also represented a significant improvement over his 2023 performance in Malaysia. In the November 2023 Malaysian Grand Prix, Quartararo had qualified eighth with a lap time of 1:57.592, and the improvement of over 0.8 seconds during testing showed just how much progress Yamaha has made in a relatively short period.
Quartararo’s performance in Sepang was particularly noteworthy because he was able to keep pace with the Ducati riders, who have historically been the dominant force in MotoGP. He was the only Yamaha rider who could consistently challenge the Ducati machines during the testing sessions, finishing the testing period just 0.231 seconds behind the top-placed Alex Marquez, who was riding a Ducati. This kind of progress was a clear indication that Yamaha had made serious advancements over the winter.
The Key Factors Behind Quartararo’s Progress
Quartararo himself expressed his satisfaction with the improvements made by Yamaha, particularly in terms of engine performance and overall bike setup. During the testing sessions, he was able to maintain strong pace during both single-lap efforts and long-distance runs, something that had been a significant issue for Yamaha in the previous seasons.
Before diving into the details of Yamaha’s improvements, it’s important to recognize that Quartararo’s feedback and consistency on the track played a key role in showcasing Yamaha’s progress. He spent several laps experimenting with different bike setups, riding with new tyres, and switching between different configurations to optimize the M1 for better performance. He mentioned that the difference in lap times was noticeable, particularly when comparing his current performance with his lap times from the previous year.
“My fastest lap was 57.5 in Sepang last year. So the difference is more than 0.8,” Quartararo explained, emphasizing the significance of the improvement. For a rider like Quartararo, whose success heavily depends on precision and consistency, the ability to make such a leap in lap times is an important sign of both personal growth and team development.
In addition to his performance on the single lap, Quartararo also noted that the long-distance pace of the new M1 was much improved. One of Yamaha’s biggest weaknesses in recent years had been their inability to maintain competitive pace over longer runs during races. However, Quartararo’s feedback indicated that the team had addressed this issue. “I was on track with the new tyres for six laps with one set-up, then six laps with a different set-up. It was good,” he mentioned. This adaptability in bike setups was a major positive takeaway from the test.
A Positive Step Toward Consistency: Quartararo’s Long-Run Pace
Yamaha’s biggest challenge in the past few seasons has been their inconsistency, particularly in their race pace. The team often found themselves struggling to match the pace of the front-runners, particularly during long races where tire wear and fuel consumption become crucial factors.
However, Quartararo was optimistic about the new Yamaha M1’s long-run pace, noting that the bike seemed to hold up much better over extended stints. This consistency will be critical for Yamaha in 2025 as they aim to close the gap between themselves and the more dominant teams, such as Ducati, Honda, and KTM.
“I’m very happy that we have maintained good pace, especially not just on one lap but also on the long runs,” Quartararo said. This type of feedback is crucial for the team as it allows them to make adjustments that will help improve their performance during races. Last season, Yamaha’s biggest issue was their single-lap pace, which often saw Quartararo starting races from the back of the grid, making it difficult to challenge for podiums. The improved pace in testing shows that Yamaha is on the right track.
Quartararo Reflects on Yamaha’s Winter Progress
Looking back at Yamaha’s progress over the winter break, Quartararo expressed that the strides made by the team were greater than any improvements made in recent years. According to him, the progress Yamaha made during this winter was more substantial than anything seen since 2019.
“The difference is more than 0.8,” Quartararo reiterated, highlighting how Yamaha’s upgrades had led to a significant boost in performance. For a team like Yamaha, which has faced increasing challenges in recent seasons, this kind of progress is critical. Quartararo emphasized the importance of staying calm and grounded despite the promising results in testing. “Of course we can be happy, but we have to stay calm, it’s just a test,” he said.
Despite the improvements, Quartararo also acknowledged that Ducati riders like Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia still held a significant advantage. Yamaha may have made progress, but there is still a long way to go before they can consistently challenge for victories.
Will Yamaha’s New M1 Be Enough to Compete in 2025?
While the winter progress has been significant, Yamaha still has work to do if they want to close the gap between themselves and the dominant Ducati machines. Quartararo was candid about this, noting that while they are now able to compete with the fastest riders in testing, the overall gap is still considerable.
“The gap is still big, but I’m very happy that we have maintained good pace,” Quartararo said, acknowledging that while Yamaha has made progress, there are still areas to improve. “Last year our biggest problem was our single-lap pace. Because we always started the race from the back and it was very difficult to overtake,” he explained.
Quartararo’s optimism, however, is grounded in reality. The new engine on the Yamaha M1, which has shown improved power, could play a crucial role in narrowing the gap with the competition. “Our engine is a bit faster now, so we’ll see how we do in the first races,” Quartararo said, suggesting that the upcoming races will be a better indicator of Yamaha’s true capabilities.
Conclusion: Quartararo’s Hopes for 2025
As Yamaha prepares for the 2025 MotoGP season, Quartararo’s feedback from pre-season testing in Sepang provides a glimmer of hope for the team’s future. While there is still work to be done to overcome the dominance of Ducati, Quartararo’s performance and the significant improvements made by Yamaha are promising signs. Quartararo is poised to continue pushing the team forward, and with further refinements, Yamaha may just have what it takes to return to the front of the grid in 2025.
