P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Yamaha is yet to make a big competitive step with its M1 – much to the dismay of star rider Fabio Quartararo. But there’s one key hire it has made who might be crucial in convincing him to stay regardless
With MotoGP’s 2024 preseason testing completed, Yamaha is still struggling to make significant progress with its M1, much to Fabio Quartararo’s disappointment. This lack of improvement could have affected Quartararo’s decision to stay with Yamaha beyond 2025. However, recent changes within the team are helping Quartararo align with the team’s long-term vision. Quartararo’s struggles with the new machine were evident during the Lusail test, highlighting issues with rear grip and performance in time attack mode. Despite these challenges, Quartararo and Yamaha are working on solutions with the help of new personnel like Max Bartolini, signaling a shift in the team’s approach towards returning to past MotoGP success. Yamaha’s focus on European engineering and talent scouting reflects a concerted effort to address performance issues and strengthen their position in the competitive field.
