Fabio Quartararo Struggles to Stay Optimistic After British GP Sprint

Fabio Quartararo’s hopes for the British Grand Prix took a hit after the sprint race at Silverstone, where the Yamaha Factory Racing rider struggled to keep up with the Ducati machines. Quartararo started Saturday in a strong position by taking pole, but things changed quickly once the sprint began.

He surged ahead at first, but factory Ducati rider Marc Marquez found his way past on the Hangar Straight. Only moments later, Alex Marquez, riding the slightly older Ducati GP24, powered by Quartararo before the finish line.

Even though data suggested the pass happened just after the lap’s timing point, Quartararo was left feeling doubly frustrated by being overtaken so easily in high-speed sections.

The biggest concern for Quartararo was the straight-line speed deficit. On his pole lap, he reached 324.3 km/h, which was the lowest top speed during qualifying.

In contrast, the factory Ducatis managed over 334 km/h, underlining a significant power gap. For a deeper understanding of how aerodynamics and engine performance affect top speeds in MotoGP, you can explore insights from the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). Quartararo did not pull any punches in his post-race comments.

He admitted that while there were some positives on Saturday, the Yamaha’s lack of speed compared to the competition was a glaring issue that could not be ignored.

Another issue harming Quartararo’s performance has been grip, especially when the track conditions changed between Saturday qualifying and the sprint race. He explained that his Yamaha M1 struggles much more than other bikes when grip drops, creating a feeling that the loss is “ten times” worse for him compared to rivals.

Chatter and a lack of feedback from the rear tire meant that his pace in the sprint was much slower than what he managed earlier in the day. Quartararo made it clear that understanding why grip falls off so sharply is now a pressing problem for the team. For those interested in tire dynamics and performance, Michelin’s Motorsport division offers detailed technical explanations.

Quartararo also pointed out that even in situations where overtaking should be difficult, riders on other bikes seem to breeze past him with ease. He has never experienced being overtaken so easily in his career, especially on sections of the track where passing is uncommon.

The Yamaha’s mechanical grip issues mean he cannot apply the power available, especially late in the race when tire performance drops. While a single lap in qualifying remains a bright spot, race-day conditions tell another story.

Looking ahead to Sunday, Quartararo expects more grip problems, especially since most riders are likely to choose the medium rear tire, which lasts longer but offers less traction than the soft compound used in the sprint. After the Moto2 race, track grip is likely to fall even further, making his chances for a competitive finish even slimmer.

Despite these concerns, Quartararo plans to give his best effort and try to enjoy the challenge, but he does not hide that a turnaround seems unlikely on current form.

The British Grand Prix at Silverstone is shaping up to be another tough test for the 2021 world champion. Quartararo is focused on making the most out of qualifying speed, but knows that the race itself could be a difficult ride. For more on Silverstone’s unique challenges, check out the official Silverstone Circuit guide.

As Sunday approaches, all eyes will be on the Yamaha rider to see if he can overcome these technical setbacks or if Ducati dominance will continue.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.