Quartararo and Rins Shine in Portimao Qualifying
Last fortnight’s gap between Yamaha and the frontrunners in MotoGP seemed to narrow in the Portimao race, with both Quartararo and new recruit Alex Rins securing spots in Q2. Quartararo finished ninth, just under half a second behind the leader Enea Bastianini, with Rins closely behind in 10th.
This performance marked a significant improvement from the previous race in Qatar, where Yamaha struggled. Quartararo expressed confidence in their ability to break into the top 10, stating, “It was the target today and I could see quite clearly that we could do it.”
Yamaha made plans to test a number of changes on the M1, aiming to enhance their qualifying prospects. Quartararo emphasized the importance of ongoing testing and development, particularly in electronic adjustments.
Rins, on the other hand, described his return to Q2 as a “great achievement,” highlighting the challenges he faced due to injuries in the previous season. Despite feeling comfortable on the bike, he acknowledged the need for improvements, noting similarities to the issues encountered in Qatar.
Summary:
Quartararo and Rins displayed strong performances in Portimao, securing spots in Q2 and showcasing Yamaha’s progress in narrowing the gap with the front of the pack. With ongoing testing and development, both riders are optimistic about further improvements in the races to come.
