Why Yamaha's 2022 MotoGP hopes hinge on Quartararo's mindset
Yamaha’s testing pace has not lived up to expectations so far, with progress on its engine development proving a disappointment to Fabio Quartararo. But the Frenchman's pressure-quelling mindset is a big positive that could prove an important factor in his MotoGP title defence
MotoGP's 2022 pre-season is underway, with two days of testing at the Sepang International Circuit in the books and three final days at the new Mandalika track in Indonesia this weekend still to come. Already, it looks like Yamaha's and Fabio Quartararo's title defence is off to a difficult start.
While Honda, Ducati and Suzuki have seemingly taken major steps forward with their challengers, the tone permeating Yamaha's test was one of frustration. Quartararo came into 2022 unhappy with how the M1 had progressed – or hadn't – in November's two-day test at Jerez. Back then he told French media that he would not be signing anything with Yamaha for 2023 until he'd seen tangible progress in Malaysia. Well, that doesn't seem to have happened – and, typically, thoughts have now turned to how this could impact the rider market this year.
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