Tuesday’s outing in Valencia marked the true first test of the 2024 season, with Aprilia’s Maverick Vinales leading the way.
After a lukewarm reception to its first 2024 prototype – and particularly the engine – at Misano in September, Quartararo ended Tuesday’s Valencia running 0.769s off the pace in 12th, albeit without doing a proper time attack run.
Due to the new concession regulations announced on Monday, Quartararo will have three extra days of testing in the winter of 2024 as he will be able to take part in the Sepang shakedown in February.
Yamaha will also be able to test with him in-season and freely develop its engine.
Quartararo says he is happy to take on this extra testing role, but admits disappointment at the lack of a bigger step on Tuesday in Valencia.
“Yes. I mean, of course, I expected more also from… it was not really a big expectation from this test,” he replied when asked by Autosport if he was disappointed with the latest 2024 Yamaha, even if he has more options to develop it.
“But you always try to look high and of course, for me, it was some improvement.
Source: Autosport