Fabio Quartararo is beaming at the end of the first day of free practice of this second round in Misano. Exactly like what happened two weeks ago, the French rider also achieved direct access into the Q2 today, thanks to the 5th time behind the four rivals who are in the race for the title. A high level result, which confirms the good work done by Yamaha in recent months, which is slowly bringing the M1 back to the upper echelons of the standings.
But besides the work they're doing in Iwata on the current M1, the future of the Japanese bike was also confirmed in Misano, with Lin Jarvis admitting that the V4 is at a fairly advanced stage and that there's going to be a real comparison soon between the current inline-four engine and the new powertrain concept, which will deliberate the basis of the future. Fabio Quartararo knew everything, and that's one of the reasons why he decided to continue with Yamaha when he had a thousand opportunities to part ways with the Iwata manufacturer.
By now it's official. Yamaha is working on the V4. How long have you known this?
"I've known it long enough. Honestly, it's complicated to say which engine is better today. Clearly, the three factories that are up in front today all have a V4. But even Honda has a V4. I don't think it's the most important thing on the bike. I don't have any expectation about that, but I can say it was one of the reasons to stay. I saw that Yamaha is pushing very hard, and that never happened in the past."
When will we see it on the track?
"I have no idea! In the end, I don't have any expectations about this new engine."
You were 5th today. Are you better as compared to two weeks ago?
"I see myself the same. When I'm alone on the track, I can ride like I want and make a difference in some places. When we're in the race, I can't. The fact is that, when I'm alone, I can brake really deep but, when we're in the race, our engine isn't very fast, so everything changes."
What changes in Misano compared to all the other tracks. How come you're so incisive here?
"It's not that there's all that much of a difference. Compared to the last tests and the last races, we've changed something on the set-up, and we're using a different engine. It's not an engine that gives us more performance, but it helps you ride softer, like the electronics, which has changed quite a bit."
Being in the Q2 changes things a lot, though.
"Being in the Q2 changes everything. You come back to the pit and you're smiling. It's been a long time since I finished fifth on Friday afternoon. The gap hasn't really changed that much, but it's one thing to end up at the top and another to end up in the middle of the standings. The top four are just ahead of me, That can only make me happy."
Has the M1 clearly progressed or is it a fluke?
"It's too early to talk about great progress, but I can certainly say that, step by step, we're progressing. I didn't qualify well in Aragon, but I had a good pace. Even here, in Misano, I had a very good race pace. So I think it's interesting to see where we'll be in the next two or three races. For me, being in the Q2 from Friday, completely changes the weekend. Maybe we can take another step forward in the last part of the season."
During the tests, you tried a new aerodynamic configuration, but it's not here. How come?
"We can't use a new aerodynamic because we've already homologated two and, in my opinion, the one we have works well. The guys are working for 2025. Maybe we'll come up with something a little better, but those are details."
Do these advances depend on a change of work method in the garage?
"We're working in a very different way. On electronics, for example, we're making the bike work in a completely different manner. The set-up is similar to 2021, but the engine is different, as is the frame. I think we're figuring out the best way to work to be faster."
Michelin confirmed that the new front tire will only arrive in 2026. Do you mind?
"For me, the test tire has good potential, but using it felt strange. With this new tire, I was really okay in terms of stability when going fast and in braking, but I don't know why it behaved differently in left and right corners. In right ones, I didn't feel confident. Pecco lapped very fast with that tire. I was faster too, which is good, but my confidence was worse. If they can improve it from that point of view, I think it's very good progress, especially because times are reached on braking and, with that tire, I could brake better and later. I did just a few laps, but I was faster."
Things seem to have progressed regarding pressure management as well. Not using it right away is a shame, right?
"I've already had a podium taken away from me in the sprint for tire pressure. I don't think this tire can completely change the championship, though. I think it's a very good tire, but I think Michelin still needs to work a little bit on the sensation it gives back, especially when leaning to the max."