At last November's Malaysian MotoGP, it was announced that rookie star Fabio Quartararo would join Petronas Yamaha team-mate Franco Morbidelli in having 'A-Spec' machinery for 2020.
'The team has fielded one A-Spec and one B-Spec Yamaha YZR-M1 for its debut MotoGP season in 2019... This new agreement means that both Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo will run with equal machinery next year,' .
But at today's team launch,♛ it was revealed that t𝔉he Sepang bikes will actually be 'in Factory-spec for Fabio - who is set to join the factory Yamaha team in 2021 - and A-spec for Franco'.
While Quartararo charged to seven podiums, six pole positions and fifth in the world championship during his rookie s꧒eason, Morbidelli's second year in the premier-class brought four front-rows, a best race finish of fifth and tenth overall.
The precise difference between Morbidelli's 2020 package and the Factory Yamahas is not yet clear, although the air intakes on the bikes presented a🐲t today's launch (main picture) for example are clearly different. Either way, the Italian's bike is still said to be a step up 🍬from last year's A-spec machine.
Quartararo's 2019 B-Spec bike had some older-spec parts and five instead of seven engine changes, resulting in a reduction of 500rpm to extend engine life. However, the rev d💎ifference was removed for the last five rounds when it became clear that he'd saved enough engines to finish the year at full revs.
Quartararo and Morbidelli w൩ill take to the track in their 2020 colours when official testing starts at ܫtheir home circuit tomorrow (Friday).
"In MotoGP 💃we set the bar high in 2019, so there is a lot of external pressure and motivation to repeat or improve this leve𝔍l of performance," said Petronas Yamaha team principal Razlan Razali.
Team manager Wilco Zeelenberg revealed there had been "no changes in the MotoGP crew so we should work even better together. Last year was our first as a new team, so𓆉 it always takes a little time for people to gel and understand each other. With this experience and our motivation, the team should be stronger for 2020 and we hope to show this on track over the days and weeks ahead."
"In particular, I want to improve my ☂race pace," Morbidelli said. "Last year I was fast in practice and close to the top riders on Friday and Saturday, but on race day it was different. I wasn’t able to match the top guys in the races. In 2020 I want to make this step up. The start of this is testing over the next three days so I can’t wait to get started."
"After finishing 2019 with podiums and taking great results, I hope t𝓀o be fighting in the top five again, targeting podiums and looking for wins," said Quartararo. "I don’t have any goals for the championship, my approach is race-by-race, trying to finish on the podium. The next step is to see the potential of the bike here at Sepang and this will give us a clear idea about what we can expect from the season ahead."
Both Petronas seats are currently free for 2021, although Valentino Rossi made cꦛlear that if he decides to race on, Petronas is now the logical destination.
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has see😼n Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Mar🐠c Marquez’s injury issues.