Fabio Quatararo has now apologized to Yamaha after saying they ‘had no idea’.

When the Grand Prix started, there was a roar from the crowd when El Diablo came in second. Predictably, he fell behind when the faster bikes arrived, but still managed a top-six finish.

Fabio Quattararo said Yamaha had ‘no idea’ how to improve their bikes – he was wrong.

Quattararo’s 15-point weekend remains 16th in the championship after last year’s 16 in Portugal, but he has only scored more points at Le Mans.

Still, it was an encouraging result as it came from pure pace and comes after a productive test in Jerez. In a recent interview Quartararo said Yamaha had no idea How to improve their bike, but they proved it wrong.

Was the French Grand Prix the best race of the 2026 season yet?

Quatararo was very negative about Yamaha. This season, opinion is divided. He hasn’t won a Grand Prix in four years, so perhaps the frustration will set in.

But some They accused the 2021 world champion of showing disrespect to his current employers as he prepares to join Honda in 2027.

Massimo Meregalli explains the simulation problem that has been holding Yamaha back.

to speak TNT Sports After the race, Yamaha According to director Massimo Meregalli, the season is going mostly as expected. The team has repeatedly warned that they face a steep learning curve after switching from an inline-four engine to a V4.

Finishing 6 out of 22 rounds 5 is a real sign of progress, especially when you finish in the points with the other three bikes – a first for the season.

“If you remember, when we started the season, we said it was going to be a learning season, and it is,” Meregali said.

“We’re learning how to set up the bike, although we try to model the chassis based on the inline (four) but the numbers don’t always match!

“Everything is new for us. The more time we have to test the weekend without racing, the better.

“In Jerez, Fabio and Toprak (Razgatlioglu) had a good feeling with different top wings.”

Quattararo finished second in the championship’s official race driver behind Jorge Martin, with 23 percent of the vote to the Aprilia rider’s 37 percent.