Fabio Quartararo has said he is ‘ready to fight’ at the next race in San Marino, even though his Yamaha M1 suffered issues with the brakes throughout the Austrian Grand Prix.
The SRT Petronas man first discovered the lack of stopping power at the first race of the Red Bull Ring double-header two weeks ago, as he ran into the gravel at Turn 4, causing him to drop to last place.
The issues continued to hinder the Championship leader at the Styrian Grand Prix last Sunday, seeing him run wide during both Free Practice and Qualifying before concluding the weekend in 13th place, having qualified from P9.
Quartararo also mentioned that the bike did not have much straight-line speed or cornering capability in comparison to last season’s bike.
He said: “We were behind Aleix and he was riding in a really good way but, honestly, we are too slow on the straights, as well as acceleration, stopping performance, and turning. We lost a lot compared to last year.”
However, Quartararo wasn’t the only Yamaha to suffer from braking problems as the factory Yamaha rider of Maverick Viñales was forced to jump off his M1 at just over 140 mph after his brakes failed on the approach to Turn 1.
Viñales’ bike could then be seen careering towards the barrier before hitting it and catching fire.
Problems aside, Quartararo says that he will give ‘100%’ at the next race, another double-header at the Misano World Circuit, although feels pressure from Styrian GP race-winner Oliveira.
“We will give 100% like always and let’s see which position we are able to fight for but of course, I want to give my maximum and of course we will be fighting there but KTM looks like they are really strong.
“They won the last GPs and Miguel was the fastest in the test in Misano, so we need to see but of course I’m ready to fight”, Quartararo said.
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