Fabio Cartalaro provided a calm evaluation of Yamaha’s much-anticipated V4 prototype after his first proper run on Misano’s machine.
The 2021 world champion went out for the first time in a rain-affected private test in Barcelona last week, but the post-race Misano test on Monday marked his first serious opportunity to assess the current level of the bike.
Quartarraro took over the prototype where Augusto Fernandez came in 14th as a wild card at San Marino Motogp on Sunday.
Fernandez strongly launched the weekend within 1.2 seconds of Friday’s top before lacking setup data and other performance issues.
Despite the sustained fuel warning, the Spaniards were slower by the best Grand Prix lap 1.5S than race winner Mark Marquez, under a second for Quartarraro, the fastest inline M1s today.
It seemed to put Quartararro’s previous V4 lap time target within reach.
“The new bike is bad now.”
Quartarraro finished his morning session at Misano with a best time of 1m 31.781s, finishing 1.067 from Alex Marquez (Gresini Ducati) and 18th in the timesheet.
That time was slightly faster than Quartarraro’s best race lap on his way to the eighth of the Grand Prix, but well below his head touring 1m 30.228S front row qualifying lap.
At lunchtime, Quartarraro sounded unimpressed when he was quized in the V4. This will be next seen in the Grand Prix action with a wild card with Fernandez at Sepang in October.
“There’s something to do, but it’s too early to say if it’s a good foundation,” Quartararo told Sky Italia.
He added: “Now, the new bike is worse than the inline 4.
“I realized that Barcelona’s improvements (from V4 vs. inline4) are not being felt here.
“I don’t think the V4 engine would solve our problems. I thought they were the same.
“So far, there is room for improvement, but there is no progress in the areas that are needed.”
Quartarraro is expected to ride the V4 in the afternoon session.
Jack Miller and Alex Rinse are riding on other Fernandez V4 machines. Pramac Rider began his day with a prototype before handing over to Lyns.
Quartarraro’s 21st and +0.9 seconds Miller was more complementary to the current level of the bike. Lyns has not given his feedback yet.
Session 2 will end at 6pm.