Double winner of the CEV Moto3 in 2013 and 2014, second in the Austin and Assen GPs, author of two pole positions at Jerez and Le Mans in the Moto3 World Championship, “El Diablo” completed his first season in Moto2 this year with a superb front row on the starting grid at Sepang last Sunday. He finished seventh in the Grand Prix there, as in Qatar and Barcelona, with his best result in this rookie year being sixth place at Misano. And all this at only 18 years old.
Third place in qualifying at Sepang last Saturday was all the more impressive as it was obtained 7 hundredths from pole by Franco Morbidelli and 4 hundredths from second Miguel Oliveira on the official KTM.
How did this qualifying session go?
“We really focused on the set-up of the bike, as well as my riding, because the third free practice session really didn't go the way we wanted. So we focused on that and from the start of the qualifying session I felt really good. »
“In the first run I was ninth, and then, as soon as they put a new tire on me, I felt a lot better. That's when I did my best time, on my own, without any reference, and that was what was really positive. »
During the race, you were in fourth position with two laps to go. Were you happy with your pace?
“Taking away the two laps at the end with the mistake I made in the rain – that is, when I didn't feel very good due to a lack of confidence – for me I think I had a very good race. We would have deserved fourth place, so I'm quite satisfied with my result. »
You finished fourth in Moto3 at Sepang last year. Is this a circuit that you like? And why ?
“It's a circuit that I like because it has fast corners and heavy braking, so it's a track that I really enjoy. »
Head to Valencia next week for the last race, where you won 4 victories in CEV. How do you feel about this final race of the season, on a circuit that you know well?
“Valencia is also a circuit that I love, so I think I can have a good race there. Above all, we will have to work as we did in Malaysia. »
What do you mean?
“That means really focusing on my riding style and the set-up of the bike, not changing a lot of things in terms of settings. This is how we can achieve a race like in Sepang. »
And yet the Valencia circuit is completely different in terms of the layout… and the weather!
“Especially the weather, but also the route, changes enormously. We did a test in September and it went really well. So we will start on the same basis, with I think some modifications that we tried in Aragon. I think we can really improve. »
For the moment, you have 4 places among the top 7 this year for your first season in Moto2. Are you satisfied?
“I’m happy with a few races. For example in Aragon where I had a very good pace at the end. I could have done better at the start of the season, from Jerez to Barcelona, there are several races that I could have improved, but I'm still happy because I learned a lot of things this year. So it's really positive for next year. »
Photos © Pons Racing, motogp.com / Dorna, and Leopard Racing for Fabio in a Melbourne alley in 2016
