Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Ready for Battle in Buriram

28-09-2022

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Ready for Battle in Buriram

The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team are ready to start round 17, the Thailand Grand Prix, this weekend. Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli thoroughly enjoyed the support of the Asian fans at the previous round in Japan and look forward to greeting the Thai fans at the Chang International Circuit.

The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team have travelled straight from the Japanese GP to the Chang International Circuit for the last race of the triple-header, held in Thailand. Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli haven‘t visited the Buriram track since 2019 and are looking forward to enjoying the great atmosphere at this venue again.

Quartararo‘s fortunes took a 180 degree turn after the Aragon GP, where he lost 20 points in the championship. In the Japanese GP, he gained 8 points back again. He now holds the championship lead by 18 points, but with four rounds left, the Frenchman knows it‘s still all to play for. He therefore enters this GP weekend with the highest level of concentration possible.

The MotoGP paddock has visited the Buriram circuit only twice before, in 2018 and 2019. El Diablo was in the Moto2 class in 2018 when he scored fifth place there. In 2019 he had made the step up to MotoGP and secured second place on Thai soil. The number-20 rider hopes to add another podium this weekend.

Morbidelli is also keen to head back to the Buriram track, which is a setting he likes. Visiting Thailand in 2018 and 2019, he was inspired by the passion of the local motorsports fans. His best result there was on the Yamaha in 2019, securing sixth.

The Italian is looking forward to visiting the Chang circuit again this year, especially since his pace has been increasing gradually over the last GPs. Morbido is currently 19th in the overall MotoGP rider standings and is eager to score more points this weekend.

Designed by German architect Hermann Tilke, the Chang International Circuit opened in 2014. Only one year later, the FIM Superbike World Championship started racing at the venue, and in 2018 MotoGP made its debut there. The circuit is located about 410km northeast of the country‘s capital of Bangkok, close to the town of Buriram. Buriram translates to “City of Happiness”, and it delivered. The Thai GP became a big hit with the teams and riders. Many were excited by the Chang track‘s 4.554km layout, including a 1km longest straight, and five left and seven right turns.

Fabio Quartararo

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP

"Leaving Motegi with an increased lead in the championship is positive, but we need to work hard this weekend because our potential is better than finishing eighth. I‘m happy that we‘re riding at the Buriram circuit next because that‘s a good circuit for me and also for Yamaha. I came second the last time we rode here in 2019. For sure, I will give my 100% to be on the podium again this time round."

Franco Morbidelli

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP

"We are now in Thailand, and here we‘re going to try again. We want to be in Q2. That's important for how the race weekend turns out. Buriram is a circuit that I like, and it suits my current riding style, so this will be a good circuit for me to try again."

Massimo Meregalli

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP, Team Director

"The Thai GP is the final race of three in a row. Triple-headers are always demanding, they require the riders and the team members to put in a lot of energy without much recovery time. It‘s important that we keep our concentration and keep our energy levels up this weekend, especially since the championship standings are so close with four rounds remaining. We expect another hot, humid, and wet GP at the Chang International Circuit, but we don‘t mind. The team really enjoyed the previous race weekends in Thailand. The Buriram track is nice and suits our bike, and the fans are fantastic here as well, so we‘re looking forward to start working."