Метка: Yamaha Factory Racing

Yamaha’s turning woes led to arm pump for Quartararo in MotoGP Spanish GP

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


The start to the 2024 campaign has so far proven difficult for Yamaha, though it still managed to snare 2021 world champion Quartararo to a new two-year deal beyond the end of this season.

At Jerez – a track Quartararo has won at twice in MotoGP – the Frenchman scored an unlikely third in the 12-lap sprint amidst a spate of crashes ahead of him, though was later penalised to fifth for having breached the minimum tyre pressure rule.

There were no such heroics in the grand prix, as Quartararo struggled from a career-worst 23rd on the grid to score a single point in 15th.

But his result was largely conditioned by the 2024 Yamaha’s weaknesses in turning, which led to him suffering from arm pump.

“From the beginning I made a good start but [in the sprint] was also the factor that I had a little bit of luck that everything was really good in front,” he said.

“I made a great start also [in the Grand prix], but I didn’t manage to gain positions.

“And we struggled from lap one with the rear grip, I struggled a lot to turn, I forced the bike a lot to turn on the brakes and for me, I had an issue with the arm.

“So, from mid-race to the end I had to slow down.

“When you are riding really tense, tight on the bike I was not great. So, the last 10 laps I was just cruising because the arm was not right.”

Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing

Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Quartararo lost the 2021 Spanish GP to Jack Miller as an arm pump issue dropped him rapidly down the order. He later had this operated on.

Asked if was surprised to have suffered the issue again, Quartararo said no as the bike has caused it – albeit more mildly – at other races this season.

“No, was not a surprise,” he added.

“I mean, it happens many times this year but it was never really a limit.

“But when you feel good on the bike you don’t have it, and when you feel not alright you have it.

“Some races I had it, but not that much and not that early.

“But it’s part of our challenge, also today [Sunday] we tested the bike a little bit this morning which we thought was better. But it was a bit worse. This is what happened.”

Quartararo also noted that, with the Yamaha’s current problems with turning and rear grip, Jerez is a circuit that exacerbates the bike’s flaws.

“It’s always the matter [of improving the bike],” he said when asked if there was anything he could do about the arm pump.

“When you feel good, everything is perfect. When you are riding like you are forcing the bike a lot, like this is one of the tracks that is right now one of the worst for us because the turning is the weak point [along] with the grip, and on this track you need both.

“So, I expect Le Mans to be better because it’s more about braking and I will feel better on that track.”

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Quartararo felt «massive change» on new Yamaha M1’s first MotoGP test

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In its bid to arrest a steady decline in performance over the last few years, Yamaha had been working behind the scenes on an all-new version of its MotoGP contender, which was finally ready for its first test after Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix.

Both 2021 champion Quartararo and new recruit Alex Rins got to put the new M1 through its paces at the Jerez test, finishing 18th and 14th respectively after clocking 157 laps between them.
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While the Frenchman wanted to reserve his full verdict until Yamaha had gotten a chance to properly analyse the data, he was clear that the changes the Japanese manufacturer has made had a big impact on the way the M1 feels on track.

“It’s the first time when we test something new it’s not slightly different. The new chassis we tried is really different,” he said.

“In the past, we used to test something different but [the changes were only] a little and now it was a massive change for me to feel what is on the bike. 

“It was a first step for us to see where the right way is, but we now have to make another test to see clearly and to have some ideas [on] what we do on the bike.”

He added: “[With the chassis], we are looking for turning [cornering] and we are trying to find it. 

Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing

Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

“I found a slight improvement going in but not really on the turning, it’s really a small step.

“I have a little bit more feedback from the front, that is something that I was missing. But it’s not massive. This was a little bit better but we are missing a lot.”

Yamaha has completely overhauled the M1 after successfully persuading Quartararo to sign a fresh two-year deal, with the changes to the bike covering a wide variety of areas including chassis, aerodynamics and electronics.

Only the engine has not been changed so far, with Yamaha electing to continue with its test unit — which is built to the same specification as the race motor.

“We tested many, many things, we tested new chassis, new aero, new swingarm, new electronics especially,” he revealed. “The engine is a test engine, so it’s the same as [the race unit].

“It was difficult to take conclusions right now. Of course, now we will have to analyse well. Some positives, some things that are not working, unfortunately.

Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing

Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

“But we will have more tests in Mugello after Le Mans, so these are things that we can modify and see what we can improve.”

Quartararo expects Yamaha to run some new parts in the French Grand Prix at Le Mans next month, as it continues to evaluate the package it debuted in the Jerez test.

“We will use a few items that we tested today because it’s always better to test in different tracks, and for Le Mans, we will use a few things that are not bad,» he said.

“It will be interesting to see in three different tracks what is my feeling, especially because Le Mans and Mugello are very different from here.”

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Crutchlow to get three MotoGP wildcards in 2024 with Yamaha

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Crutchlow will take part in the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, the British GP at Silverstone and the San Marino GP at Misano around his testing duties.

As part of the new concession rules for 2024, Yamaha is permitted to field six wildcard entries across the campaign.

It is unclear if Yamaha will utilise Crutchlow for any more beyond the San Marino GP.

At present, Honda, KTM and Aprilia can also field six wildcards under the concessions system, while Ducati is permitted to none.

KTM has already announced plans for two wildcards in 2024, with Dani Pedrosa taking part in this weekend’s Spanish GP, while Pol Espargaro will race the RC16 at Mugello.

Aprilia and Honda are fielding wildcards also this weekend at Jerez, with Lorenzo Savadori in for the former and Stefan Bradl at HRC.

Yamaha currently sits fourth in the manufacturers’ table after a tricky start to the 2024 season, with just one top 10 finish to its credit.

The Japanese marque is set to test a completely new M1 on Monday at Jerez.

Crutchlow raced with Yamaha in World Superbikes before debuting in MotoGP with the Japanese marque at the Tech3 satellite squad in 2011.

He raced for the team between 2011 and 2013, scoring six podiums on the YZR-M1 before moving to Ducati in 2014 and then to LCR Honda from 2015.

On the Honda, Crutchlow won three grands prix between across 2016 and 2018, ending a drought for British riders dating back to 1977.

He remained with LCR before retiring from racing at the end of 2020 to take up a test rider role with Yamaha from 2021.

He made four starts in 2021, first as a stand-in for the injured Franco Morbidelli at Petronas SRT, and then at the factory Yamaha squad in place of the ousted Maverick Vinales.

He replaced Andrea Dovizioso at RNF for the final six rounds of 2022 when the Italian retired after the San Marino GP, and made a wildcard start for Yamaha in Japan last year.

The British rider finished 13th in the wet Japanese race.

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Quartararo stresses ‘quality over quantity’ with upcoming Yamaha MotoGP update

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


The start to the 2024 MotoGP season has not been easy for Yamaha having scored just 19 points in the opening three rounds, with a best of eighth for Fabio Quartararo in the Portuguese Grand Prix.

Despite this, Yamaha has been able to snare Quartararo to a new two-year contract and has big updates planned for the coming races.

With tests lined up for after the Spanish and French GPs, 2021 world champion Quartararo admits the next month will be «busy» but is «quite optimistic» for the updates scheduled.

«It will be a busy test for us in Jerez,» he said. «Then after Le Mans, we have two days in Mugello.

«So, it’s going to be a busy month for us, but it’s the mindset for me right now. It’s not focused on the results but focused on trying to improve our bike.

«Of course, it’s difficult because I’m a winner and I want to finish the best as possible, but I think sometimes it’s great to make these kinds of things that we made this weekend.»

Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing

Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Asked by Motorsport.com if Yamaha management had told him anything about the amount of updates it would be bringing, Quartararo added: «I think the amount is not the most important thing.

«It’s better the quality than the quantity. I think the quality of the aero that is coming, they are really optimistic because from 2019 till this year we were riding the same aero basically.

«This year is the first year we are racing with a different style of aero.

«So, basically, we are learning. From January we have made some big steps, but from January to April is just a few months and you cannot completely change your bike and mentality. But we are quite optimistic.»

Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing

Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Despite finishing a lowly 12th in the Americas GP, Quartararo feels the weekend was positive overall as Yamaha has been able to confirm exactly what its main issues are.

«I mean, the direction we know what we need,» he said. «So, this is something really positive because it’s three races and three races where we missed exactly in the same areas.

«This weekend was great because we basically tried many, many things. Now we turned around all the settings on the bike.

«We need new items to really improve. It’s coming, it’s on the way, but I think right now the goal is on improving our bike and not focus on the results.»

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Marquez’s Honda exit «woke a lot of people up» at Yamaha

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Earlier this month, Quartararo inked a fresh multi-year deal with Yamaha, keeping him with the Iwata-based manufacturer until at least the end of the 2026 season.

The new contract was agreed despite an underwhelming start to the new campaign for Yamaha, leaving the 24-year-old to fight for lower reaches of the points in the opening three rounds of the season.

It also followed six-time champion Marquez’s call to leave Honda with a year left on his contract and join forces with the independent Gresini Ducati team in 2024, a decision that has already allowed him to fight for podiums and race wins.

But while Quartararo didn’t follow in the footsteps of Marquez and elected to keep his faith in Yamaha, he believes the Spaniard’s decision to split with Honda actually worked out in his favour.

He feels Marquez’s move to Gresini sprung Yamaha into action, as it showed that top riders in MotoGP are willing to trade loyalty for more competitive machinery.

«It’s a moment that a lot of people have been waiting for,» the 2021 champion told French broadcaster Canal+. «My choice was to stay with Yamaha, not by default, but for the project.

«I think that Marquez’s departure from Honda to Ducati woke up a lot of people at Yamaha.

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

«They’ve recruited a lot of new engineers, and a lot of things are happening in Italy rather than in Japan.

«The speed with which parts can be changed has totally changed. I think it was very interesting for me to continue with Yamaha.»

Some factions have questioned Quartararo’s choice to stay at Yamaha for 2025-26, amid its continued struggles in MotoGP over the last few seasons.

While the Japanese manufacturer has been overhauling its MotoGP programme by bringing in new people and changing its philosophy, while also taking advantage of the new concessions system, the jury is out on whether the work it is putting in will yield the desired results on track.

Quartararo admitted that he did consider moving to a different team earlier in the year, but his decision was swayed by the amount of resources Yamaha is dedicating to return to the sharp end of the field.

«Of course, I totally understand [that people have doubt about his choice] because even I, a few months ago, was really ready to take my departure for another team,» he said.

«I’m not going to say [which one] but of course, Yamaha is investing huge sums to get a better bike. I think it’s one of the only brands investing so much in this project.

«We’re already going to see some improvements this year. I think that this year will be very difficult, already to fight for a few podiums, but I think that this year will be very important for the next two.»

Watch: MotoGP: Vinales recovers from 11th to win | 2024 #AmericasGP



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Age a key factor in Quartararo’s new Yamaha MotoGP deal

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Five days before the start of the Americas GP, Yamaha announced the extension of Quartararo‘s contract until the end of 2026.

Quartararo justified his decision in Texas with the internal restructuring process that has been launched within the technical department of the Japanese team.

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The most important aspect of this is the incorporation of Massimo Bartolini, Gigi Dall’Igna’s right-hand man at Ducati, as technical director.

Before Quartararo’s renewal was made official, many compared the dilemma facing the rider to the one faced by Marquez last season, which eventually led him to leave Honda after 11 years and join the satellite Gresini team, where he competes on a Ducati that is not even the latest specification.

Although Quartararo took the opposing decision, 31-year-old Marquez understands the reasons that led the 24-year-old to give Yamaha another chance.

«I’m not surprised that Quartararo has stayed at Yamaha,» said Marquez in an interview with Motorsport.com in Austin. «First of all because Yamaha is Yamaha, and Honda is Honda. Sooner or later, they will get there.

«A lot of people have compared it to my situation, but Fabio has a lot more time than I had left.»

Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team, Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing

Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team, Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Another element that leads the Spaniard to sympathise with his rival’s decision is the absence of trauma such as the one he experienced following the arm injury he sustained at Jerez in 2020, which led him to undergo surgery four times.

«He hasn’t gone through a period like I did, with a very serious injury that even led me to doubt myself. That is fundamental,» added Marquez, who finished on the podium in the sprint race on Saturday, and who crashed on Sunday while leading the main event.

Quartararo crossed the line 15th on Saturday and 12th on Sunday, further evidence that the Iwata-based constructor’s recovery will take a long time.

After the first three grands prix of the calendar, the 2021 world champion is 12th in the standings, with his best result so far being seventh in Portugal.

«When you are in a project in which you have been given a lot, and you are promised more, it is normal to have that patience and confidence that it will come,» continued Marquez, aware that, in such a competitive ecosystem as the MotoGP world championship, effort is not always rewarded.

«You have to have confidence and also luck because all the engineers work hard. The luck lies in [the technicians] finding the key that translates into a competitive bike,» Marquez added.

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Lin Jarvis to step down as Yamaha MotoGP team boss at the end of 2024

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Jarvis is 66 years old and has been at the helm of Yamaha’s racing division for 26 years.

As Yamaha team boss, the Briton played a very important role in the resurrection of the company in the mid-2000s.

Together with Davide Brivio, he was able to convince Valentino Rossi to join the project in 2004 when the Italian was already a three-time champion with Honda.

With Rossi, Yamaha took the title in 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2009, before entering the era of Jorge Lorenzo, who was crowned champion in 2010, 2012 and 2015.

After a period of dominance for Marc Marquez and Honda — six titles out of a possible seven between 2013 and 2019 — Fabio Quartararo regained the crown for Yamaha in 2021.

There have been a total of eight world titles won by Yamaha under Jarvis. 

One of the Briton’s latest contributions was to seal the renewal of Quartararo, announced last week, to a new two-year deal.

Fabio Quartararo, Lin Jarvis, Yamaha Factory Racing

Fabio Quartararo, Lin Jarvis, Yamaha Factory Racing

Photo by: Yamaha

Next on his agenda is to strike a deal with one of the independent teams, to regain the satellite structure that Yamaha gave up after not renewing its deal with RNF for 2023.

«This will be my last season at Yamaha, I will quit at the end of the year,» Jarvis told Motorsport.com in an exclusive interview on Thursday at the Americas Grand Prix. «I will decide later what I’m going to do, what I will dedicate my time to.»

«I started the factory team in 1999. It has been an unusually long period. I’m 66 years old now and I’m starting to get a little tired of travelling.

«I’ve been doing this for 26 years, and it’s quite extraordinary for the same person to lead a project, in a factory, for such a long period.

«The time has come to do something new.

«It’s the ideal time to make this transition. We have to be able to close my chapter and start the new one, in harmony. That is the best solution for both parties.

«We have already identified the candidate who will most likely become my successor, although it has not yet been made official.

«But it will be a man from the Yamaha group, who will take over my position in January next year.»

Despite not wanting to reveal the name of his replacement, Motorsport.com understands that the ideal candidate in the eyes of the brand’s executive committee is Paolo Pavesio, currently marketing and racing department director for Yamaha Europe.

The Italian is closely linked to racing and is a regular at WorldSBK and motocross events for Yamaha.

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Rins feels like 2024 Yamaha MotoGP bike “rides me”

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The Spaniard took a surprise first Honda victory at the Circuit of the Americas 12 months ago when he rode for the LCR squad, which would transpire to be HRC’s only visit to the top step of the podium all season.

Having swapped one uncompetitive bike for another in the factory Yamaha for 2024, Rins says he comes to Texas “dreaming” about a repeat win.

But, having struggled in the first two rounds of the season and come up with a best result of 13th at the Portuguese GP, Rins doesn’t feel like he is close to adapting to the M1 yet.

“For sure we all have dreams and if I say no, I would lie to you,” Rins said when asked if he could think about another COTA win.

“I dream about it, but honestly first of all we need to work, we need to work really hard.

“We need to work in the same way we are working, but for the results from the last races a little bit more.

“Still I’m a little bit [feeling like] the bike rides me – I don’t ride the bike.

“For what I saw in Portimao and in Qatar, we still didn’t find the perfect set-up, the perfect balance on the bike.

“After the Portimao race, we had a test, ‘very successful’ at only five laps, due to the weather conditions.

“We had planned to test some new set-ups there. We couldn’t, so we’re going to test tomorrow [Friday] morning if the track condition is fine.

“I’m looking forward to it. It’s a really good track for me, I have really good memories.

“I really like the layout a lot, so let’s try to work hard and see what we are able to bring home.”

Rins is something of a circuit specialist in Texas, having taken his first Moto2 podium in only his third race in the class in 2015, before scoring a first win in 2016.

In 2019, he beat Valentino Rossi to register his maiden MotoGP victory when he rode for Suzuki.

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Yamaha takes advantage of MotoGP concession rules with new M1 engine

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Like Honda, Yamaha is benefiting from the operational and technical advantages approved at the end of last year in an attempt to help the manufacturers most in need from a performance point of view.

One very beneficial aspect of the concessions is the possibility for the race riders to carry out private test days, limited only by the number of tyres available — which has also increased.

Another advantage is to be able to develop the engine which, unlike the constructors without concessions, is not frozen.

Since the beginning of the year, Honda has been following an extensive testing programme, with around 22 private events scheduled — although it is unlikely all will be completed as the concessions will be recalculated during the summer break, depending on the results obtained until then.

So far, Honda’s Luca Marini has made the most of these concessions, and before the Portuguese GP he was riding at Jerez to try to speed up his adaptation to the RC213V.

Yamaha was not as aggressive initially, the Iwata-based company setting a roadmap with the European calendar as a reference.

Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins stayed at Portimao on the Monday after the last race in order to improve the performance of the bike which, so far, has not allowed either rider to finish in the top five in the two rounds held so far.

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

One of the aspects that has weighed Yamaha down the most in recent years is the lack of punch from its engine. In fact, Yamaha hired the services of Marmotors — the consultancy firm owned by renowned engine engineer Luca Marmorini, known for his time at Ferrari and Toyota in Formula 1 and Aprilia, among others.

After crossing the finish line seventh at Portimao, Quartararo was asked if he could give any clues as to the elements he should test the following day.

«Hopefully we will be able to test several things,» said the Frenchman. «I think we have a lot of parts.

«Let’s hope that the weather will respect us. I don’t know if I can say exactly what we’ll be testing, so I’d rather not say anything.»

Motorsport.com has learned one of the most important components that Quartararo was to test was a new engine specification.

It is a different specification to the one used so far, but with Yamaha’s signature inline four-cylinder configuration. A V4 power unit does not seem to fit in the Japanese factory’s plans, at least in the short term.

However, the bad weather that Monday in the Algarve area — especially the strong wind — prevented Quartararo and Rins from completing the planned programme with both riders restricted to six laps each.

In these conditions, Yamaha technicians opted not to fit the new engine to Quartararo’s bike, leaving its evaluation for a later date. It remains to be seen, however, whether the power unit will be fitted to the #20 and #42 bikes this weekend in Austin.

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