Fabio Quartararo: “Good memories” at Jerez, but how will the V4 perform?

Fabio Quartararo’s debut 2020 MotoGP victories, and last year’s brilliant pole position and podium are among his “good memories” of Jerez.

But all eyes will be on the performance of the new V4 at this weekend’s event, after another frustrating weekend at COTA.

The V4 hasn’t finished higher than 14th in a grand prix so far, with the four Yamahas all left at the back of the field in the USA.

However, Quartararo did put the machine into an impressive fourth on the grid in Brazil, which he converted into sixth in the Sprint race.

Despite their race woes at COTA, the Frenchman still beat the fastest 2025 Inline Yamaha qualifying time by half a second.

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The problem is that the US MotoGP pole time was slashed by one second and Quartararo – expected to join Honda next season – was quoted as telling Canal+ that favourable comparisons with last year’s M1 need to “stop”.

“I think that, above all [we have to] stop comparing lap times a bit,” he said.

“Yes, in qualifying, we were half a second faster than last year, while the others gained a second.

“So, it will also be good, even for the team, to see that lap times are much slower than last year at circuits like Jerez and Le Mans.”

Despite that plea, it will be interesting to compare M1 lap times this weekend, given Quartararo was on pole at both Jerez and Le Mans last season.

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The tighter circuit layout should also punish the V4 less than the 1.2km COTA back straight.

“It’s nice to be back in action after a three-week break, and starting the European part of the season is always something we look forward to,” Quartararo said ahead of this weekend.

“Jerez is a track with a special atmosphere, the fans are amazing, and you really feel that energy as soon as you arrive.

“I have good memories at this track. It’s special to me because I [took] my first MotoGP victory here.

“We have a busy period ahead with a lot of races in a short time, so the focus is on working step by step and doing our best every weekend.”

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Team-mate Alex Rins arrives at Jerez with three points so far and his Yamaha future in doubt, after recent reports that Ai Ogura is set to join Jorge Martin in an all-new factory team line-up next season.

Rins has finished on his home Spanish Grand Prix podium in all three classes, most recently second place in the 2019 MotoGP race for Suzuki.

“We’ve had a few weeks without racing, but now we’re back. I’m sure the fans are happy about that!” Rins said.

“The atmosphere in Jerez is always great, and it’s a circuit I enjoy riding.

“We know the next couple of months will be very intense with many races close together, so the goal is to stay focused, keep working with the team, and give our maximum each time we’re on track.”

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Yamaha is tipped to introduce its first engine upgrade of the season at Le Mans.

If so, a revised powerplant could be fitted to wild-card Augusto Fernandez’s machine during the Spanish MotoGP weekend, then handed to the full-time riders for Monday’s official test.

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