How Yamaha’s rookie-spec MotoGP star is taking charge
Fabio Quartararo is on a roll in 2021, having stormed to victory at a venue where he last year served up one of his worst races. Contrasting Portuguese GPs for Yamaha’s factory duo make it hard to understand just how good its 2021 MotoGP bike is, but the Portimao weekend has revealed one key improvement compared to 2020
The contrast between last year’s Portuguese Grand Prix and the 2021 Algarve MotoGP race couldn’t be starker. Five months ago, Fabio Quartararo’s crumbling title charge met a meek end when he finished 14th and 24 seconds from runaway winner Miguel Oliveira on the Tech3 KTM.
Fast-forward to April of this year, decked in his new factory Yamaha colours instead of Petronas SRT mint green, Quartararo romped to his second win of the campaign 4.8s clear of the field - having gotten to the chequered flag some 26s quicker than he did last November.
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Lewis Duncan is Autosport's International Editor and primary motorcycle racing reporter. A motorsport fan from a young age, Lewis became interested in journalism when he won the star letter competition in the February 2012 issue of F1 Racing Magazine. A member of the Autosport Academy from 2017, Lewis became a freelance motorcycle racing correspondent for Autosport in 2019 before becoming a full-time staffer in 2020 as International Editor.
While MotoGP coverage is his priority, Lewis also covers World Superbikes and road racing across the Motorsport Network, and hosts the Tank Slappers Podcast. He has also occasionally commentated on 750 Motor Club meetings. Away from motorsport, Lewis is a keen record collector with a collection unashamedly largely featuring Iron Maiden and Rush and an avid guitar player.
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