EVERYONE SURPRISED Test day 1 in Le Mans: Fabio Quartararo’ RECORD with the V4 ENGINE SURPRISED and makes the Ducati boss FEAR utter 5 word.
The opening day of testing at Le Mans ahead of the French MotoGP has delivered a seismic shock to the paddock. Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo, aboard a bike now reportedly featuring their highly anticipated V4 engine, unleashed an astonishing lap that shattered the existing test day record. The sheer velocity displayed by the Frenchman and the significantly different sound emanating from his machine left onlookers stunned, none more so than Ducati boss Gigi Dall’Igna, whose reaction betrayed a palpable sense of unease.
Throughout the morning session, Quartararo consistently topped the timing sheets, his Yamaha exhibiting a level of straight-line speed previously unseen this season. The distinctive growl of the V4 engine, a departure from Yamaha’s traditional inline-four configuration, was unmistakable and a clear indicator of a significant step forward in their power unit. The record-breaking lap, set in the final minutes of the session, was reportedly so far ahead of the competition that it prompted gasps of disbelief in the pit lane and left even seasoned engineers scrambling to analyze the data.
The reaction from the Ducati camp was particularly telling. Gigi Dall’Igna, known for his composed demeanor, was visibly animated on the pit wall, his usual air of confidence seemingly replaced by a furrowed brow and intense discussions with his technical staff. Sources suggest that the Ducati boss was overheard uttering something along the lines of, “That engine… it changes everything,” his tone laced with a clear apprehension about the newfound competitiveness of their Japanese rivals. The unexpected performance leap from Yamaha has undoubtedly thrown a spanner in Ducati’s dominant works.
The implications of Quartararo’s record-breaking pace on the V4-powered Yamaha are immense as the MotoGP field heads towards the French Grand Prix. Has Yamaha finally closed the power deficit that has plagued them in recent seasons? Will Ducati be able to respond to this unexpected challenge on their home turf? The stunned silence that followed Quartararo’s lap record has been replaced by a palpable sense of anticipation and perhaps even a touch of fear within the Ducati ranks. Test day 1 at Le Mans has undeniably ignited a new spark in the 2025 MotoGP championship battle.
