Reigning MotoGP champion Fabio Quartararo believes three of his employer Yamaha’s rival premier-class marques have made a “much bigger step” ahead of the 2022 season.
Quartararo had pined for a big improvement in engine power for his M1 coming into the first test of 2022 at Sepang, but conceded after his first day of running that this hadn’t – and wouldn’t – come to fruition.
Finishing the test as seventh-fastest, albeit just two tenths off the ultimate pace, the Frenchman made it clear he was not displeased with how the two days at Sepang went – particularly in terms of used-tyre pace – but admitted he’d “expected much more”.
And he was also full of praise from what he saw from some of his rival manufacturers.
Speaking to MotoGP.com, Quartararo described the performance of the new Suzuki GSX-RR as the biggest surprise” from the test.
“And Honda also,” he swiftly added. “Because I was really impressed by the laptime they did and the pace, Pol [Espargaro] had a really good pace, Alex [Marquez], Marc [Marquez].
“But yeah, [Suzuki riders] Alex [Rins] and Joan [Mir] were really fast today, with new, with used tyres. For me they are the biggest surprise. But I think we are also there, and it will be as well a fun year.”
Asked subsequently by The Race whether he also thought highly of the new Aprilia’s performance, after both Aleix Espargaro and Quartararo’s former team-mate Maverick Vinales finished the test within the top five, or whether he thought they were flattered by being allowed to do the pre-test shakedown, Quartararo said: “Of course we know that they are super fast.
“They have two riders that are riding fast, and of course… for me, even if you have more days of riding, you are doing one laptime. Already below [1m]59[s] is already a fast laptime, and they did 58.1 and 58.3 I think.
“It’s true that they make more days but for sure the bike is working super well, if we check the top speed it’s super fast.
“I was behind Aleix for half a lap and the turning was a lot… for sure I’m impressed by them and at the end, if you check, for me, yes, Hondas and Suzukis they made a massive step also.”
Quartararo was then prodded on whether Yamaha improved as much as the three bikes in question, to which he was quick to offer a “no”, and on what he made of the Ducati’s progress.
“At the end Ducati, they were already super super fast at the end of the season, but the three that impressed me the most is the three that you said.
“And to be honest I don’t think we made a step like that, by far.
“But that doesn’t mean we’re not competitive. Just means the other ones made a much bigger step than us.
“And we are struggling in the areas – even new tyres, it’s strange to see that I was struggling more because normally, you know, time attack is one of my favourite things. I know I could improve much more, but the others made a big step on that area.”
