Fabio Quartararo\u2019s debut 2020 MotoGP victories, and last year\u2019s brilliant pole position and podium are among his \u201cgood memories\u201d of Jerez.<\/p>\n
But all eyes will be on the performance of the new V4 at this weekend\u2019s event, after another frustrating weekend at COTA.<\/p>\n
The V4 hasn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
However, Quartararo did put the machine into an impressive fourth on the grid in Brazil, which he converted into sixth in the Sprint race.<\/p>\n
Despite their race woes at COTA, the Frenchman still beat the fastest 2025 Inline Yamaha qualifying time by half a second.<\/p>\n
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The problem is that the US MotoGP <\/a>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\u2019s M1 need to \u201cstop\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that, above all [we have to] stop comparing lap times a bit,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, in qualifying, we were half a second faster than last year, while the others gained a second.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, 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.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n The tighter circuit layout should also punish the V4 less than the 1.2km COTA back straight.<\/p>\n “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,\u201d Quartararo <\/a>said ahead of this weekend.<\/p>\n \u201cJerez is a track with a special atmosphere, the fans are amazing, and you really feel that energy as soon as you arrive.<\/p>\n \u201cI have good memories at this track. It’s special to me because I [took] my first MotoGP victory here.<\/p>\n \u201cWe 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.”<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n