Fabio Quartararo and his new vision at Yamaha: “In June 2023 I reached the bottom and changed my mentality”

Fabio Quartararo is plunged into a rebuilding process after two years of going through a real test Yamaha. The Frenchman was only champion in 2021, but starting from the second half of the 2022 season, the performance of the Japanese has fallen to such an extent that victories are a utopia for the Frenchman. The situation was desperate but Fabio saw a change in the Japanese brand that restored his confidence in the project so he decided to renew the team despite the poor results and previous complaints about the lack of reaction.

In an interview with MD at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya He explained the entire process through which an agreement was reached that left no one indifferent. He also talked about future expectations and the chip change that helped him get out of the hole. It’s worth noting that the frustration of not getting there is still in the air, but their responses are far from the pessimism seen in the past. Deal with what is presented to you in a different way.

We saw it in Jerez or Le Mans more than in other events, does Yamaha take a step forward or are these circuits where it fits better?

Jerez is more complicated because we did a Sprint with a very good start and many falls. But we are slowly taking steps but I believe that the change when it comes will be sudden

His renewal at Yamaha came as a surprise after a difficult year. What changed in the group that convinced you?

A series of engineers from another brand came who gave me a lot of confidence, the way of working changed a lot and I went from not believing in the project to actually doing it. That is the most important thing

Talk about philosophy when working. What did you notice that was different about the factory?

Above all, the speed of changing things that don’t work, trying new things in a very short time. Don’t waste time. If it works, don’t spend three months looking at reliability or whatever and fix it. And above all the ideas they have for the future to take a step forward. There are many things coming up throughout this year that will be important.

What do you say to the critical voices that criticize you for only staying with Yamaha for financial reasons?

Eventually, you’ll understand why people react the way they do. But because they also don’t know what’s inside. He didn’t know that I had been talking to Yamaha or other brands for months. That’s not the reason, but of course he sulked. The project, the new engineers who arrived, the loyalty… everything was affected.

What changes would you most readily make?

You always need more grip, more power… there are always things that even the Ducati wants to have. But we are missing something that we had in the past, which is being able to turn and have a grip. For now, this is what we are focusing on.

Ducati seems to be in a different league, but do you see it possible to compete with KTM or Aprilia at the end of this year?

It’s complicated but at least we’re working to do it

He signed for two more years, until 2026 (inclusive). In case you don’t see improvement this year or in 2025, is it possible to change the landscape in 2026?

When you sign a contract it means you believe in the project and you don’t want to change. So in 2026 I’ll still be here (at Yamaha)

The new regulations in 2027, with less aerodynamics, less power… in other words, less fast but safer, are you convinced?

It’s true that we are very fast, especially in straight lines. We did some tests at Mugello and we got really fast at the end of the straight. I don’t think it will change much but above all it will put everyone back to zero and this is important. And it’s going to be a new championship so I think it’s pretty good.

Are there any changes you like in particular or do you miss something else?

I think removing the devices is good news and also minimizes spoilers.

Do you find it impossible to fight for the title before this change in 2027?

Impossible no. We don’t know what our motorcycle will be next year, what our motorcycle will be in 2026. I see it as impossible for now but for next year it is totally different.

And with the focus on 2024, is there any World Cup event you have in mind where you’re confident of doing well?

Nope. Before you can say that some circuits are good for us and others are not. So far there is not one that you can say is good for us or not.

For a driver who is used to winning, have you done any mental work to adapt to your new battles behind you?

Yes, I worked with a psychologist. The truth is not much, I was there two or three times to be really calm, not too nervous. I won’t win anything, on the contrary, I will lose. I worked a little.

What is the moral moment when you hit rock bottom and when do you have to look up?

It was June 2023. I spent three very difficult months but at this moment I started to change my mentality a little and stop thinking that way.

And then how do you approach each race now?

I deal with it by always trying to hope. I believe there is no better way to get out of this situation.

There is a lot of talk about who will go to Ducati, Márquez or Martín of the official team. As you’ve been on both sides with Yamaha, does wearing the factory team colors really make that much of a difference?

Let’s see, in 2020 (with the satellite team) I had some technical problems with the official bike. I rode the official Petronas bike and that year the private bike was better. But I feel very good to officially mount the satellite team, here I won my first races but I think at the image level for the brand it is always better for the official to win. I think the first 3/4 of the championship doesn’t change but then it influences depending on who is leading.

And for an ego-level pilot?

Many people may say no but if you are in the official that means the brand believes in you more than others. That’s why it’s a bit affected.