In the scorching heat and oppressive humidity of the Buddh International Circuit, the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team demonstrated sheer athleticism and determination that left the spectators in awe. Fabio Quartararo, with a flawless performance, marked his triumphant return to the MotoGP rostrum with a remarkable third-place finish, a mere 0.206 seconds behind the second-place rider. Meanwhile, Franco Morbidelli engaged in exhilarating battles with various competitors, ultimately gaining an impressive eight positions to secure seventh place as the chequered flag waved.

Overcoming the Odds
Despite initially qualifying in eighth (P8) and seventeenth (P17) positions, Quartararo and Morbidelli commenced the race from seventh (P7) and fifteenth (P15) spots, respectively. This shift was necessitated by the unfortunate unavailability of Luca Marini and Alex Marquez, who were deemed unfit to ride.

Quartararo executed a stellar start, swiftly advancing to sixth position in the opening corners. Throughout the race, he remained in contention at the front, briefly holding fourth place before settling into fifth. With 16 laps remaining, a crash by Marc Marquez presented Quartararo with an opportunity, propelling him to fourth place with a one-second gap to Francesco Bagnaia in third. While he couldn’t bridge the gap further, and with no immediate threats from behind, Quartararo found himself in a somewhat solitary ride. However, fate had more in store for him. Bagnaia crashed out on lap 14, elevating the Yamaha rider to a well-deserved podium position. On the final lap, Quartararo made a valiant attempt to overtake Jorge Martin, who was grappling with leather malfunctions and the relentless heat. Although Quartararo narrowly missed out on the second position, he relished the fierce competition and crossed the finish line in third place, a mere 8.855 seconds behind the leader.

Morbidelli’s Remarkable Journey
Morbidelli embarked on a spectacular journey from P15 on the grid to P9 during the opening laps of the race. As Marquez encountered a mishap on lap 6, the Italian rider ascended to eighth place. However, his quest for a strong finish was far from over, as Johann Zarco and Fabio Di Giannantonio closely trailed behind. Morbidelli adopted a defensive riding style but had to concede to Zarco with ten laps remaining. Nevertheless, as Aleix Espargaró retired from the race a lap earlier, Morbidelli held on to eighth place. He expertly fended off Di Giannantonio and, with Bagnaia’s unfortunate crash on lap 14, found himself in a solitary seventh position. In the closing laps, Maverick Viñales posed a challenge, but Morbidelli stood his ground, ultimately securing seventh place as he crossed the finish line, 16.946 seconds behind the race leader.

Championship Standings
The day’s results solidify Quartararo’s 11th place in the overall standings, amassing an impressive 105 points. Morbidelli, on the other hand, maintains his 12th position with a total of 77 points. In the team championship, the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team stands firm in sixth place with 182 points, while Yamaha surges to fourth position in the constructor’s championship with 125 points.

What Lies Ahead
Looking forward, the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team is set to embark on their journey to Japan for Round 14, the Grand Prix of Japan, scheduled to take place at the Mobility Resort Motegi next weekend. As they continue to demonstrate their prowess on the track, the world eagerly anticipates the next chapter in this exhilarating MotoGP season.

Source: Press.yamaha