The least we can say is that fabio quartararo et Fabio DiGiannantonio will not have missed their meeting in Thailand: the Yamaha official to reassure and reassure themselves, the Gresini rider to highlight themselves in this uncertain period of the future.
For the Frenchman, it was mainly a question of convincing himself that he was still capable of doing well on the handlebars of his M1. Because finally, by dint of doubting and denigrating his mount, he seemed to have lost his ability to set things right despite an apparent desire – in the absence of fierce optimism – to succeed. Certainly, Mandalika was favorable to him in 2022 during the first laps of the category on this new circuit. That being said, it was in the rain, hence the legitimate concerns about repeating the same performances in the dry.
In addition, questionable for its rapid and dangerous deterioration, the track has undergone a complete resurfacing, giving it a lot of grip but also a strong abrasive power. Results ? Fourth position in qualifying then fifth at the finish of the Sprint.
The next day, the Frenchman will opt for a choice of “medium” tires which, due to the heat, will provide him with an excellent balance in performance against his direct competitors at the end of the event. His final third place and a renewed smile attest to this. It is also proof that the Yamaha still has beautiful remains and that the best is to come in 2024!
What's more, supported but confronted by his new teammate alex rins, the emulation should be in full effect. This will change him Franco Morbidelli who finished last in the race, and which we really wonder if he will be a gift for the Pramac team next year. But this is another story.
Another great performance of the weekend, that of Fabio Di Giannantonio, second knife of the Ducati Gresini Team. Present from free practice then prequalified directly in Q2, the Italian driver did not disappoint with a superb seventh place on the grid for the start of both events. Brilliant in the Sprint at the gate of the Top 5, it was directly at the gate of the podium that he failed the next day. A consecration on his humble scale since he will enter the parc ferme as the first independent driver.
It was also very moving to see him, shaken by emotion, as much for the deliverance that this feat suddenly gave him as for the unexpected popularity it aroused. Some might think that this performance comes a little late. But what other driver would have been capable, in this game of transfers, of fighting against adversity? Marc Marquez to keep your handlebars?
The boss of the team Nadia Padovani she herself seemed to have difficulty believing in the signing of the Spanish driver. This shows to what extent the six-time Moto GP world champion remains a rare gem and the promise of success. Not only on a sporting level, where Marquez could compete again in the title race and would definitively remove Gresini from the status of a simple satellite team. But also on a financial level for a team which did not ask for so much, thus carrying out an excellent operation. Because there is no doubt that the sponsors will respond to the call.
Fabio DiGiannantonio, despite all his efforts, could therefore not fight. The relevance of his weekend result should nevertheless give him, if he cannot stay in the category (Honda perhaps?), the ability to compete for a solid position in World Superbike. It's the least we could wish for this talented driver.
Results of the Indonesian MotoGP Grand Prix in Mandalika:
MotoGP General Ranking:
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
