What's more, all four Honda rid-
ers are riding the same package
and working in a similar direc-
tion—a far cry from the disastrous
first half of last year.
On paper at least, Yamaha is
operating at the same level shown
last year. Quartararo was second
fastest and consistent (posting 32
laps under 1:33). And if France's
first-ever premier class cham-
pion is to be believed, he's riding
better than ever. Yet there is the
impression the M1 has hit its ceil-
ing. "When you start to feel the
front moving everywhere, the rear
is spinning, you're touching the
elbow everywhere, it's difficult to
find more," he said.
The situation led to the 22-year-
old claiming his future is still open
despite Yamaha's attempts to tie
him down to a contract for 2023.
The Ducati GP22 is still getting
up to speed. As it features a new
engine with added horsepower
and a revised aerodynamics
package, that "is making the bike
completely different" according
to Jorge Martin, there is the feel-
ing they are still playing catch up.
"Are we ready? No, but when
are we ever ready? I feel as ready
as we can be," said Jack Miller.
Suzuki and Aprilia head to Qa-
tar in a confident frame of mind.
Alex Rins was seventh for Suzuki
with Joan Mir—absent on the final
day due to food poisoning—12th.
Aprilia's Aleix Espargaro con-
firmed the '22 Aprilia RS-GP's im-
provements and sweet handling
with the fourth-fastest time.
Even KTM's factory boys—well
off the pace in Malaysia—were
upbeat. Despite modest times,
Brad Binder believes he can
extract more from a new tire in
qualifying trim than a year ago,
while managing tire life is still one
of the bike's strengths.
"How I'm feeling now com-
pared to how I felt going into
Qatar last year, this is ten times
better," he said.
Neil Morrison
1. Pol Espargaro (Hon) 1:31.060
2. Fabio Quartararo (Yam) 0.014
3. Aleix Espargaro (Apr) 0.325
4. Franco Morbidelli (Yam) 0.356
5. Francesco Bagnaia (Duc) 0.376
VOLUME 59 ISSUE 7 FEBRUARY 15, 2022 P37
Fabio Quartararo was fast
but still unhappy about the
Yamaha's top speed.
Aleix Espargaro put the
revamped Aprilia in third.
