Fabio Quartararo issued a strong response to a difficult MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix on the Yamaha, saying “I’m not stupid; I know how to ride a bike”.
The 2021 world champion was on pole at Jerez and finished on the podium on the old inline-four Yamaha last season.
But in the 2026 edition of the Spanish Grand Prix, he was 17th on the grid and finished the race almost 30 seconds down on winner Alex Marquez.
Though Yamaha brought new items to the Spanish Grand Prix, the Japanese brand made little progress in closing down the leading manufacturers.
‘If we solve one problem, another appears’
With his patience clearly gone, Fabio Quartararo didn’t hold back when he spoke to the media on Sunday: “I struggled with grip and power.
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“Unfortunately, there isn’t a single area where we’re strong or where I can say I feel comfortable.
“I don’t feel comfortable when braking, entering corners, cornering, accelerating, or braking.
“There are so many areas where we have problems and struggle. Even if we solve one, another one appears.
“Personally, I’m not stupid; I know how to ride and how much we’re losing. It’s plain to see. A year ago, I was on the podium.
“Today, I’m thirty seconds behind.”
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Quartararo noted during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend that he was not expecting a new engine for the test.
Yamaha’s Massimo Meregalli confirmed on Monday at Jerez that the brand has a slightly modified engine, but the overall design is identical to what has been raced.
Quartararo was top Yamaha in the Spanish Grand Prix in 14th, with no other M1 rider in the points.
Team-mate Alex Rins, whose future in MotoGP looks uncertain, was 16th, while Jack Miller was 18th due to a technical issue.
Toprak Razgatlioglu and Augusto Fernandez filled out the final places on the remaining Yamaha.
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