Fabio Quartararo criticized Yamaha's V4 project, stating they haven't addressed issues he first raised six months ago.

What happened?

On the opening day of practice at the Spanish Grand Prix, Quartararo made it clear he feels the team has done little to fix the problems.

The gap between Yamaha's 2026 prototype and the rest of the field was clear, with all five factory riders missing out on Q2 during the pre-practice qualifying session.

Why it matters for Fabio Quartararo

Quartararo was best placed among them in P17, while Toprak Razgatlioglu continued to show promise even though he posted only the 18th fastest time.

Yamaha entered Augusto Fernandez as a wildcard for this round, but he ended up at the bottom of the timesheets.

What comes next?

Quartararo expressed frustration that the team still hasn’t fixed problems he flagged more than half a year ago, saying "The reality is what you see. Being a second off our best time means we’re struggling."

He emphasized the need for a bike that turns, has grip, stops well, and gives confidence in the front, which he has been asking for since September.

The 2026 season hasn’t started well for Yamaha, with Quartararo breaking the lap record at Jerez in 2025 but now finding himself a couple of seconds off that pace.

Quartararo said the difference between this year’s V4 and last year’s Yamaha model is obvious, even though the 2025 version also had plenty of limitations.

He stated that the previous bike was better, saying "Like night and day. Sure, last year’s bike wasn’t the best in some areas, like power and rear traction."

The team has yet to find any fixes for these concerns, with Quartararo determined not to let up on his criticisms of Yamaha.

The issues look deep-rooted, well beyond just engine performance, affecting Quartararo's performance and the team's overall standing.

Quartararo's comments come after a tough day of practice in Jerez, where he finished 17th, and the team struggled to find speed and competitiveness.

The Spanish Grand Prix highlighted the challenges Yamaha faces in the 2026 season, with Quartararo and the team working to improve their performance.

Quartararo's frustration with Yamaha's V4 bike issues is evident, and he will be looking to see improvements in the upcoming races.

The team's ability to address these issues will be crucial in determining their success in the 2026 season, and Quartararo's performance will be closely watched.

Quartararo's determination to push for changes and improvements will be key in helping the team to overcome their current struggles.

The upcoming races will be important for Yamaha and Quartararo, as they look to turn their season around and find the competitiveness they need to succeed.