Yamaha was the first factory team to present the colors for the 2022 MotoGP season on Friday. One day before the start of the official Sepang test, Yamaha showed off the liveries for the new season.
The two factory Yamahas will be piloted by world champion Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli. Visually, not much has changed compared to the previous year. The color scheme with the large Monster logo is almost identical to the 2021 version.
In developing the M1, Yamaha focused on one problem over the winter. “Top speed is the most important area,” explains team director Massimo Meregalli. “The top speed threw us back last year. The engineers concentrated on that and not only worked on the engine but also on the aerodynamics. We will test these new components in Sepang.”
Yamaha Race Director Lin Jarvis is once again heading into the new season with high expectations. “We have a great team and two great drivers,” observes Jarvis. “Fabio starts the new season with less pressure. He already has a title and knows he can do it. He can enjoy driving and he works well with his team. I have high expectations of him.”
Fabio Quartararo is hungry for more wins and world titles
Last year’s success whetted the appetite of Fabio Quartararo. “My motivation is to achieve the same goal in 2022,” comments the defending champion. “The 2021 season helps me believe in myself and be confident. I’ve had a very nice winter break and I’m ready for the new season.”
“It’s difficult to say who will be the biggest opponent,” muses Quartararo. “Your team-mate is always the first driver you want to defeat,” explains the Frenchman, who also counts on Francesco Bagnaia, Joan Mir, Marc Márquez and the other top drivers.
The 2021 champion feels completely comfortable in the Yamaha factory team. “I don’t see Yamaha as a team. It’s a family for me,” emphasizes Quartararo, who continues with his 2021 crew. There is a change in teammate Franco Morbidelli’s box. Patrick Primmer takes on the role of crew chief.
Silvano Galbusera takes care of the test team again. Test pilot Cal Crutchlow has extended his contract with Yamaha for another two years. Kazutoshi Seki takes on the role of MotoGP Project Manager this year.
Landmark season for Franco Morbidelli
The 2022 MotoGP season is an important year for Franco Morbidelli. “2021 was a complicated season with many challenges,” the Italian looks back. In the summer of 2021, Morbidelli underwent knee surgery. During the winter he was able to focus on recovery. “We worked intensively on the knee. That, along with the left leg, was the most important area during winter training,” reports Morbidelli.
“It was a tough but nice winter,” sums up the vice world champion of the 2020 season. Morbidelli has a clear goal for the new season: he wants to build on the successes of the 2020 season. “I want to be as fast as Fabio. He’s always at the top,” said the number 21 driver.
Fabio Quartararo redeemed Yamaha after five years without a world title
Yamaha has very good memories of the 2021 season. In addition to numerous titles in the various Superbike categories, Yamaha also prevailed in the premier class and clinched the first MotoGP title since Jorge Lorenzo 2015.
Last year Fabio Quartararo secured the world title two races before the end of the season. The Frenchman won 5 of the 18 races and was on the podium in 10 races. In the end, Quartararo had 16 points more to his credit than Ducati factory rider Francesco Bagnaia.
Franco Morbidelli experienced a season with some setbacks last year. The Italian started the 2021 season as Vice World Champion, but knew even before the start of the season that his 2019 Yamaha didn’t put him in a good position.
A complicated knee injury meant that Morbidelli missed a few races. During his absence, surprising scenes took place in the Yamaha warehouse. Factory rider Maverick Vinales was suspended in August and later parted ways early with Yamaha. Morbidelli took over the Spaniard’s factory M1 on his comeback. He ended the season 17th in the drivers’ standings.
The 2022 MotoGP season will start on March 6th in Doha (Qatar). Before that, drivers will have the chance to test at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia (5/6 February) and the Mandalika Street Circuit in Indonesia (11/12/13 February).