Fabio Quartararo offered advice to “desperate” Toprak Razgatlioglu at Buriram MotoGP Test

Star MotoGP rookie Toprak Razgatlioglu received some words of encouragement from former world champion Fabio Quartararo on the final day of pre-season testing at Buriram.

While Quartararo is facing his own frustrations with the performance of the new Yamaha V4, the difficulties are magnified for Pramac’s Razgatlioglu, who is also adapting to MotoGP machinery and Michelin tyres after years in WorldSBK.

The reigning World Superbike champion was left in 21st and last of the full-time riders on the final Buriram timesheets, 2.1s behind Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi.

Team-mate and leading M1 rider Jack Miller finished 1.1s ahead, with Quartararo a fraction slower than the Australian.

Quartararo: "I saw him really desperate"

Quartararo was seen speaking to Razgatlioglu in the garage and later explained the context of the conversation:

“Mentally, for him it's difficult, because he was always in the top three in Superbike, and I saw him really desperate, I would say. 

“He arrived in the most difficult moment of Yamaha, [and] in his first year he [also] changes manufacturer of tyres.

“But [I was] just telling him that it's normal to be in this position when we just arrived, and we are all there. 

“He just needs to take time to feel faster and more comfortable on the bike.”

The Frenchman added: “I wish I had that [advice] when I was struggling in my first [MotoGP] test in Malaysia. 

“I want the best for him, and I think small words can maybe help, and I think it's positive for him.”

Razgatlioglu: "I'm getting sad"

Razgatlioglu, who has also been receiving frequent help on and off-track from Miller, later confirmed the advice he had received from Quartararo.

“We were talking about this year. I'm still learning. He said don't rush. And also Yamaha is still improving. So try to adapt to the tyres. He said for [him] also it's very difficult [with] the new bike,” Razgatlioglu said.

“He just said, ‘stay calm. You don't need to rush’. I'm always thinking corner by corner. Trying to do my best. But the lap time is not coming. Always I'm getting sad.

“But when I moved to MotoGP, I understand the tyres and bikes are completely different. I need to adapt to this. But still, I'm not really adapting. Especially with the front tyre.”

While Razgatlioglu needs to build confidence in the front tyre on corner entry, he has made some progress in taming the wheelspin issues on corner exit. 

“I find something… After lunch, with the used tyre, I did good lap times. Not like Marc or Pecco. But for my side. I'm getting adapted. With the medium tyre, I did my best lap today. But still I'm learning, I need time.

“Sometimes my motivation is going down. But this is normal. I need to just focus more. And try to adapt to the tyres.”

Although there a long way to go before Razgatlioglu feels fully comfortable on track, he’s already settled into the team and paddock.

“I'm very happy working with my team. Because everyone is very warm. We are working together. Also my team mate Jack is a really good guy. I'm very happy working with him and he's also helping me every day, every session.

“I like the MotoGP paddock but if I'm a quick rider, I think I’ll start to enjoy it more. But this is normal.”

Razgatlioglu will make his MotoGP race debut at the same Buriram circuit during this weekend’s Thai season opener.