Quartararo impressed by Yamaha’s change in mentality in MotoGP

Fabio Quartararo He has said that he was impressed by Yamaha’s change in mentality for the 2024 MotoGP season, even if the results on track fell short of his expectations.

As part of its campaign to return to the front and challenge for victory again, the Japanese marque is gradually adopting the same aggressive stance as its European rivals.

Wide freedom is given in terms of testing as part of MotoGP’s concession systemYamaha quickly brought new parts to the track which were then fitted to Quartararo and Key’s bikes. alex rinse,

This was not possible in the past, when Yamaha stuck to its old ways of being more conservative with regard to upgrades.

That’s why Quartararo praised the impact of behind-the-scenes changes at Yamaha after a season in which the M1 was too slow to finish on the podium.

“Of course, I expected (the bike) to be a little faster,” he said. “But (in the first half of the season), more than improving the bike, (it was) the way we changed the work that was really important for me – changing the mentality.

“Also, the concession helped. When one engine was working (in testing), immediately in the next race we had it. We didn’t have to wait for the bike to be tested (undergo full testing) to check safety (standards). If it’s working, we put it (on the bike). The first half was like this.

“And (in) the second half we managed to take a big step forward in some areas, especially in electronics.”

Quartararo showed his confidence in Yamaha by signing a new contract this yearDespite finishing next to bottom in the 2024 constructors’ standings, he was committed until the end of 2026.

The Frenchman said he hoped the new philosophy would be maintained at Yamaha, as it was one of the key demands made before signing a new deal.

“At least it will be like that as long as I’m there,” he said. “If not, I won’t be able to follow.” We just changed it this year.

“It will happen in the next years because we feel we have taken a small step forward.”

Quartararo was widely praised for extracting maximum speed from the Yamaha this season and it was only due to a fuel problem that he failed to finish the Grand Prix in the top five.

He also finished third on the road in the sprint race at Jerez, only to be stripped of the podium due to a tire pressure penalty.

Quartararo’s teammate Rins was new to M1 in 2024 and missed several races due to injuries, thus was not in the best position to appreciate the efforts of the 2021 world champion.

However, in 2025, Yamaha can rely on its new satellite team Pramac and grand prix winners jack miller And miguel oliveraBoth of them will ride for Pramac on factory contracts.

Quartararo thinks those small improvements, coupled with additional data from the four bikes, should be enough to help Yamaha consistently challenge for the top five next season.

“Of course I have to compare (myself) with my teammate because I only have one Yamaha in the standings,” he said.

“It would be great to have three other Yamaha, factory riders as well next year, to get more information, more data.

“This year was quite difficult for us and we need mainly two things – I don’t say wins because to win we miss a lot – but to at least fight for the top five where we miss some areas. Let’s go.

“I think step by step we are achieving it.”