The first half of Quartararo ’ s 2023 was miserable ; the second promising as he first learned to accept the Yamaha M1 ’ s shortcomings , and then rode beyond them . Qualifying was an issue last year , and could well be the factory ’ s undoing in 2024 . There ’ s no doubt the M1 – a bike which hasn ’ t won a race since June , 2022 – is still some way off it . But the 2021 Champ ’ s aims are more realistic this year , knowing he can build from a solid base of early top six results . He ’ s been a calmer figure this year , and is still capable of fighting with the best in class when the bike allows him to , even if Yamaha are some way off currently .