Quartararo: We didn't make a step, 'strange' speed difference to Ducati

Fabio Quartararo insists a disappointing Jerez test won't cloud his first winter break as a MotoGP world champion.

The French star scored 278 of Yamaha's 309 constructors' points this year, but was winless after round 12 at Silverstone as closest rival Francesco Bagnaia took four of the last six victories for Ducati (falling from the lead in another).

Echoing the concerns of Suzuki's 2020 champion Joan Mir, Quartararo spent the closing stages of the season warning Yamaha that a a big push was needed to help fight the Ducati riders, who filled the front row and podium at last weekend's Valencia finale.

Quartararo's biggest concern is top speed, yet while Ducati had an all-new engine, fairing and exhaust to try at Jerez (and Honda continued work on a completely new bike) Quartararo spent the first day of testing on a 2022 prototype that was 'the same' as used at September's Misano test.

The #20 then tried a new chassis and fairing on the second and final day, but didn’t feel an improvement with either development.

Meanwhile, Bagnaia was 0.8s clear of the field for most of Friday, saying Ducati had done an 'incredible' job in improving what was already a 'perfect' bike - with plenty more parts, including the chassis, still to come.

"I will not say I'm worried, but of course [Ducati] look super fast," said Quartararo, who made a late push to finish second fastest, 0.452s from Bagnaia, and third overall behind the day one time of Honda's Takaaki Nakagami.

"And we didn't make a step. That's for sure. So I hope for Sepang [in February] to make a step, because we tried many things but I didn't feel any improvement."

Quartararo confirmed: "The new fairing, to be honest, you can't feel it. It's more with data and everything. So it's difficult to say, but for me it looks a little bit nicer!

"Today there was a new chassis, but I didn't feel any improvement. We are looking for a little bit more rear grip, so this is something that we definitely didn't find today.

"So nothing super positive from today, and [Yamaha] definitely know where they need to improve, so this is the most important."

Asked to cast his eye over at Ducati, Quartararo was quizzed on where he thinks their bike is performing so well, given the lack of any long straights at Jerez.

"It's quite strange, because in Mugello the speed difference is about 10 km/h, and here today it was also about 10 km/h," Quartararo replied.

"So I don't understand, but I think the aerodynamics they have in this bike is massive, and I think that we need to work a lot on that area, to have a bit more downforce on the wheelie. I think this is one of the most important things.

"And for me, clearly the old times when the Ducati did not turn, [because] it's a big bike, doesn't exist anymore.

"I think the Ducati right now, with the combination of the riders – I'm not saying it's the bike that makes the difference, because I hate to say that the bike is better – but the bike needs a rider, and the combination of the rider first, and the bike that is the Ducati, means they are super strong and we need to improve in a lot of areas.

"But of course, [Ducati] are super-fast and they look really strong."

Nonetheless, it's Quartararo and Yamaha that have finished the year as world champions and, while the Japanese engineers might be in for a busy winter break, the 22-year-old returns home a happy man.

"I go home like a world champion, and I go home and enjoy," he said. "So I'm not worried, Yamaha will work a lot.

"This was not the test that we hoped for, but I will go home and rewatch the FIM Awards video [being presented with champions trophy]! I think everybody on the team will go home happy, apart from the Japanese engineers who will need to work a lot!"

Once again, Quartararo was head and shoulders ahead of the next best Yamaha rider, RNF's Andrea Dovizioso in 13th. Factory team-mate Franco Morbidelli was 15th and rookie Darryn Binder 26th.

Just two official tests remain before the start of the 2022 season, when engine spec and the first of two fairing designs will be fixed. Those tests will both take place next Februaryat Sepang, Malaysia and then Mandilika, Indonesia.