Fabio Quartararo put pressure on Yamaha to find “speed, performance, whatever” after a “nightmare” Algarve Grand Prix where he recorded his first DNF in 2021.
The newly crowned MotoGP World Champion fought his way through the field throughout the fight in Portimao, having qualified only seventh.
He managed to recover to sixth place fairly quickly, but after that he was unable to overtake Jorge Martin’s Pramac Ducati, Johann Zarco’s machine.
Quartararo eventually fought his way past Martin after stalling over a dozen tours, but crashed into Turn 5 just moments later trying to overtake now fifth-placed Zarco, allowing him to record his first non-finish of the season.
The frustrated world champion blamed his overtaking problems right on the door of his underpowered Yamaha motorcycle.
“I don’t know (lack of pace), but I know exactly what happened to the crash. I braked too late and fell, but it was a race nightmare, ”explained Quartararo after the race.
“When I was behind the Ducati it was impossible for us to overtake, the strength that we had allowed us brought back a lot, but in terms of acceleration and top speed we are way too far (away).
“I think what helped me a lot this year was starting in the front row 14 times, but once you’re in a situation like this, it’s way too difficult.
“I remember the last time Pecco (Bagnaia) started eleventh (in Portimao) and had a good rest, but it’s impossible for us so we have to find whatever speed and strength we really need.”
Estimating that his potential race pace was “much better than what I’ve shown”, Quartararo added that he was “more bothered by the season finale in Valencia this weekend,” Quartararo had been stuck in traffic throughout the competition focus on qualifying ”.
“The speed I had on Friday was really fast, on Saturday we went in the wrong direction, but this morning we were fast with the soft medium tires and in the race my pace was much better than I showed” Quartararo continued.
“When you’re stuck behind and at the limit trying to overtake, it’s really frustrating and I couldn’t do better.
“There is no pressure at all (for a strong result in Valencia) but we will do our best. I think we’ll try to concentrate a little more on qualifying than on the race pace and then we’ll have to find a (power) solution for next year. “
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