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In a surprising development, Laura Villars, a 28-year-old entrepreneur with Swiss-Italian roots from Geneva, has declared her intention to run for the presidency of the FIA. This announcement comes just weeks before the December 12 election in Uzbekistan, which was previously expected to be a straightforward contest between the current president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, and challenger Tim Mayer, following Carlos Sainz Sr's withdrawal.

Villars' campaign platform centers on modernizing the FIA, advocating for greater democracy, transparency, and accountability within the organization. She also highlighted her commitment to fostering diversity and innovation, aiming to make motorsport more inclusive for women and new generations globally. Her unexpected entry has generated considerable media interest, leading to a rapid increase in her public profile and social media engagement.

Despite the initial buzz, the FIA has noted that Villars has not yet formally submitted her candidacy. The official nomination period commences on October 3 and concludes on October 24, during which she must present a full presidential list, including a senate president, two deputy presidents (one for sport, one for mobility and tourism), and seven vice presidents for sport. Additionally, she needs the endorsement of several member clubs to qualify. Villars, who has a background in Formula 4 and the Ferrari Challenge, acknowledges the need for experienced support, stating she is assembling a comprehensive team of seasoned professionals and is actively engaging with various clubs to secure their backing, confidently asserting the seriousness of her bid.

Laura Villars' emergence as a presidential candidate challenges the traditional landscape of motorsport leadership. Her focus on progressive values like democracy, transparency, and inclusivity reflects a broader societal shift towards equitable representation and modern governance. While the path ahead is undoubtedly challenging, her determination to compete against established figures and advocate for a more diverse future in motorsport offers a compelling narrative, potentially inspiring others to break barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields. Her journey, regardless of the outcome, underscores the power of new voices and fresh perspectives in driving positive change.

In the 2025 MotoGP season, despite Yamaha's struggles as one of the slower teams, Fabio Quartararo consistently demonstrates exceptional performance, securing strong qualifying positions and podium finishes. His teammate, Alex Rins, attributes this success to Quartararo's remarkable braking technique, which allows him to brake significantly later than other Yamaha riders. This unique ability creates a substantial advantage, leading to quicker lap times and better race results, leaving his teammates with a considerable gap to close during races.

This article delves into the critical role of braking in Quartararo's standout performances and the challenges faced by other Yamaha riders. We will examine how this specific skill translates into a competitive edge and explore the implications for team strategy and individual rider development within the Yamaha camp. The disparity in qualifying and race outcomes underscores the importance of refining braking techniques to maximize potential on the M1, especially given the bike's overall speed limitations.

Fabio Quartararo's Braking Mastery and its Impact

Fabio Quartararo's remarkable braking skill is a primary differentiator on the Yamaha M1, enabling him to consistently outperform his fellow Yamaha riders. Alex Rins noted that Quartararo can brake a full 20 meters later, which translates to an astounding 0.8-second advantage per lap in qualifying. This exceptional ability has allowed Quartararo to secure four pole positions and multiple podium finishes, despite the M1 generally being slower than its rivals. This stark contrast highlights a significant performance gap within the Yamaha team, as Rins and others find themselves consistently starting from lower grid positions, making race recovery a considerable challenge.

This braking prowess is not merely a marginal gain but a fundamental aspect of Quartararo's competitive edge. In a sport where fractions of a second matter, his capacity to delay braking and maintain control under extreme pressure allows him to carry more speed into corners, ultimately leading to faster lap times. While other Yamaha riders like Rins, Jack Miller, and Miguel Oliveira struggle to replicate this technique, Quartararo's consistently strong qualifying and race results underscore the profound impact of this specialized skill. His ability to extract maximum performance from the M1 through superior braking demonstrates a unique synergy between rider and machine that his teammates have yet to unlock.

Challenges Faced by Other Yamaha Riders

While Fabio Quartararo flourishes due to his braking excellence, his Yamaha teammates, including Alex Rins, Jack Miller, and Miguel Oliveira, face significant challenges, particularly in qualifying. Rins openly admitted his struggles with late braking, noting that he and other Yamaha riders brake approximately 20 meters earlier than Quartararo. This deficiency directly impacts their qualifying performance, often relegating them to starting positions as low as P17, as seen in Rins's case. Consequently, starting so far down the grid makes it incredibly difficult to advance through the field and compete for top positions during races, even if their race pace is respectable.

The data comparison among the Yamaha riders clearly illustrates this disparity: Quartararo's average qualifying position is 5.25 with four poles, while Rins averages 15.56, Miller 12.56, and Oliveira 16.38. This shows a consistent struggle for the other riders to make it into Q2, let alone the front rows. Oliveira echoed Rins's sentiments, emphasizing that qualifying is his biggest weakness and that better starting positions would significantly improve his race outcomes, as his race pace is often comparable to Quartararo's. This situation underlines a critical area for improvement for Yamaha and its riders, requiring a concerted effort to enhance their braking performance to match Quartararo's unique capabilities and improve overall team competitiveness.