Sepang MotoGP Test: Fabio Quartararo gets his wish as top speed ‘better’, but has it come at a cost?

Fabio Quartararo was fifth fastest when it came to top speed on the opening day of the Sepang MotoGP test, however, the improvements made by Yamaha may have come at a cost.
Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha MotoGP Sepang 2023
Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha MotoGP Sepang 2023

After testing various new parts throughout the day, some of which were chassis, aerodynamics and engine related, the 2021 MotoGP champion has come away ꦯfrom the opening day🔜 of pre-season testing happy with his and Yamaha’s work.

The top speed improvements shown by 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Cal Crutchlow during the Shakedown test were backed up by Quartararo as he posted a top speed of 334.3km/h which was just two kilometres down on what 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Enea Bastianini managed.

However, the Yamaha rider was only 11th when it came to the quickest lap times after finishing nine tenths off 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Marco Bezzecchi.

But unlike the Ducati rider, Quartararo did not attempt a fast lap as⛦ he instead went throughꦯ the busiest test day of his career. 

“Today was not an easy day because in the end we had to test many things,” added Quartararo. “We don’t have a lot of tyres for the test so today we had to use the tyres that we didꦏn’t really want. 

“It was not easy, especially after three months without riding but I’m feeling pretty 💛happy. 

“The top speed has improved and now we have to look at the chassis, aerodynamics and throttle response of the engine which is something I was struggling a little bit with tod꧙ay. But I will say that it was a positive day.” 

While better top speed continues to be a positive sign for the Japanese manufacturer, Yamaha’s improvements ma🌸y have affected the traditional strengths of the M1, which is cornering performance.

Speaking about getting the balance beꦯtween both areas right, Quartararo said: "Yeah that is positive because in the past year we were also struggling with the chassis but especially on top speed. 

Fabio Quartararo, Sepang MotoGP test, 10 February
Fabio Quartararo, Sepang MotoGP test, 10 February

"Now top speed is a little bit better but now we are struggling a little bit more in the corners. We have🔯 two more days here and two days in Portimao. ☂;

"Like I sai𝓡d I tried so many things today w𓆏hich meant we didn’t focus on which was the best bike. 

"We didn’t𝓰 really focus on makin⭕g the best lap but top speed is something that is really important and we made a big step."

Having had smaller parts to test in previous years, Quartararo was c♐ertainly put through his paces after three months away from riding a MotoGP bike.

No two ru🔥ns were the same for𒊎 Quartararo as finding a clear answer on the character of the chassis, aerodynamics and engine response were all targeted.

Quartararo said: "It was a day where we tried many tಌhings but we couldn’t really see if it was better or not. We tried a🍬 new chassis and the response was pretty clear. The engine response was also pretty clear and the aerodynamics. 

"It’s something that at the end; it’s the first time in my career that I make a test [day like this]. Basically, the previous years we tried a swingarm, some settings, but today in one day I tried more than in a full test. It was a little bit of a mess but it was good for the experienc👍e."

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