MotoGP star Fabio Quartararo didn’t mince words when describing his Friday at the Valencia Grand Prix—it was, in his own words, far from a dream start. The Yamaha rider openly admitted to grappling with his M1 bike, stating, “I struggled a lot to find my rhythm, especially with the front end, which is usually our strength.” But here’s where it gets intriguing: despite his challenges, Quartararo still managed to secure a spot in Q2, though only just, finishing 10th in the session.
Yamaha, meanwhile, is on the cusp of a major transition. This weekend likely marks the final MotoGP appearance of their inline-four engine, as the team shifts focus to their V4 project for 2026. Is this farewell tour a bittersweet moment for fans, or a necessary step toward future success? The bike itself showed promise on Friday, with Pramac’s Jack Miller dominating FP1 and securing a top-six finish to advance directly to Q2.
Quartararo’s struggles, however, weren’t just about speed. “I couldn’t find any consistency,” he explained. “We made adjustments, but nothing clicked. Hopefully, tomorrow brings improvement, because right now, even a single lap feels uncertain.” And this is the part most people miss: during the Portugal GP, Quartararo had to reduce his Yamaha’s power due to aggressive throttle delivery. But at Valencia, the issue isn’t power—it’s clarity. “The base setup just isn’t clear,” he noted. “Turn 1 feels like riding in the wet. I’m pushing, but it’s not the same problem as Portugal.”
Adding to the drama, Quartararo’s bike began smoking on the pit straight during Practice, forcing him to stop at Turn 1. “It was fuel,” he revealed with a laugh. “I had to change my leathers—didn’t want to catch fire out there!”
Is Yamaha’s current setup a temporary setback or a deeper issue? And what does this mean for Quartararo’s championship aspirations? As the paddock buzzes with speculation, one thing is clear: this weekend is about more than just racing—it’s about adaptation, resilience, and the future of a team in transition. What’s your take? Do you think Quartararo can turn things around, or is Yamaha’s shift to the V4 coming at the wrong time? Let us know in the comments!
