Fabio Quartararo disappointed with Misano test engine, but Massimo Meregalli sees expectations met – Yamaha have two more specs in the pipeline
For years Fabio Quartararo has been calling for more power from the Yamaha M1’s inline four. A new power unit was in use at Monday’s test in Misano. Ex-Ferrari engine boss Luca Marmorini was also spotted in the pits wearing a neutral T-shirt.
The Italian has already helped Aprilia to make the V4 engine competitive. Now Yamaha is counting on Marmorini’s experience. They have brought in external expertise in the form of his design office. The expectations were high.
But Quartararo was just as disillusioned after the first laps with this further developed engine: “The feeling is different, but I expected more power. It’s difficult to say anything positive about this engine.”
Yamaha team manager Massimo Meregalli’s comments were quite different. “I can see that the new engine is faster than we expected. It is consistently faster and seems easier to ride,” was his analysis of the Misano test.
These contradictory findings also caused Quartararo to wonder when he learned of Meregalli’s assessment. “At the Misano test you heard the team manager’s comments and mine. They were black and white, completely different.”
“I can say quite clearly that the test was a disappointment,” the former world champion again held forth on DAZN Spain during the India weekend. “The engine was not up to the standard I expected. “
“We have not made any progress at all. But if the team manager thinks he is better, then you have to listen to him. One says white, the other says black. But I think the rider’s statements are a bit more important.”
“The rider tests the bike and has the feeling whether the bike is easier to ride or not. If we start like this and we are not on the same page, then the 2024 season will be the same or worse,” Quartararo puts the rod in Yamaha’s window.
Why Meregalli sees expectations met
Only the Frenchman has been on track with the new engine at the Misano test. Franco Morbidelli was not sent out with it because he is leaving Yamaha at the end of the season. In the background Cal Crutchlow is testing many new developments for next year.
This Misano test engine was just a first evolution. Meregalli maintains that the findings were positive. “The reason for the different points of view was due to communication,” the Italian recapped to MotoGP.com in India.
“That was our mistake because we didn’t inform Fabio about the expectations. We saw in the test what we expected. It was a new engine with a different character. I was satisfied because we didn’t have any problems.”
“We confirmed the expectations in principle. We are also working on two other specifications. One will be ready for the Valencia test and one for the Malaysia test. Of course he had different expectations, but that was because we hadn’t informed him.”
Next weekend Crutchlow will contest his first wildcard of the year at Motegi, Japan. The Briton will be on site with his test team. The focus is on testing new developments in racing.
