Yamaha, one of the prominent names in MotoGP, has been grappling with a power deficit in comparison to its competitors for the past few years. This drawback has significantly contributed to its decline in the pecking order within the sport. In a bid to address this issue, Yamaha joined forces with former Ferrari F1 engine chief, Marmorini, aiming to enhance their performance in the 2024 season. However, they recently decided to test the new engine during the post-San Marino Grand Prix test at Misano for the 2023 season. Surprisingly, the results were underwhelming, leaving much to be desired. Despite his status as the reigning 2021 MotoGP champion, Fabio Quartararo, who piloted the new engine, only managed to secure the sixth spot overall on the timesheets. Furthermore, Quartararo’s speed was still considerably slower, approximately 5km/h, compared to the fastest Ducati through the speed traps.
Quartararo’s Disappointment:
Quartararo expressed his disappointment regarding the performance of the new Yamaha engine. When questioned about his impressions, he stated, “I expected much better from this test, but we have to stay positive and try to analyze what happened to improve for the Valencia test.” Quartararo’s feedback was intriguing, especially when he mentioned that he expected more power from the engine. He found it challenging to say anything positive about this engine, hinting at his dissatisfaction and frustration.
Comparing the current test with last year’s test, it becomes evident that Quartararo’s experience was very different. He highlighted that when he tried the 2023 Yamaha bike’s engine in 2022, he felt that it was slightly better than its predecessor. However, this time around, Quartararo did not experience the same positive feelings. This disparity raises concerns about the development of the engine and Yamaha’s progress in terms of power improvement.
The Need for Power and Grip:
Quartararo shared his view that the Yamaha engine requires power throughout the entire rev range. He emphasized that the track’s grip significantly influences the performance of the Yamaha M1. When the track has high grip, their bike’s behavior undergoes noticeable changes. Quartararo illustrated this by mentioning his lap time of 1m31.4s during the test, which was almost equivalent to his qualifying lap time during the weekend. However, he also acknowledged that the Yamaha’s pace compared to its competitors has a more significant improvement of approximately one second when there is high grip. This discrepancy indicates the need for Yamaha to work on their bike’s performance in different track conditions, especially when the grip is low.
Quartararo pointed out a crucial issue that Yamaha faced in the past and continues to grapple with. He explained that when multiple bikes take to the track, they leave behind traces of Michelin rubber. This buildup of rubber significantly affects the bike’s performance, as it creates a slippery surface. In race weekends, riders must control their bikes to prevent sliding. However, during the test, Quartararo admitted that due to the lack of pressure and the absence of a race environment, riders can enjoy the luxury of opening the throttle without worrying about the consequences. This advantage, however, masks the true performance capabilities of the Yamaha.
Yamaha’s struggles in MotoGP, particularly when it comes to matching the power of its rivals, have had a significant impact on its standing in the sport. The recent test run at Misano using the new engine for the 2023 season failed to meet expectations, according to Quartararo. His disappointment with the engine’s performance, as well as his contrasting experience compared to the previous year’s test, raises concerns about Yamaha’s ability to improve its power deficit. Moreover, the need to address power delivery throughout the rev range and the challenges posed by changes in grip conditions and rubber buildup highlights the areas Yamaha must focus on to compete effectively in future MotoGP events.
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