This Sunday, April 3, 2022, Fabio Quartararo answered questions from journalists from the Circuit Termas de Rio Hondo at the end of the Argentine Grand Prix.
We went to listen (via teleconference software) to the words of the French driver who secured the points for 8th place.
As usual, we report here the words of Fabio Quartararo without the slightest formatting, even if it is partially translated (vouvoiement in English, tutoiement in French).
fabio quartararo : " To be honest, my start wasn't the best. Before the straight I was seventh, so I wasn't too bad. But then I got overtaken on the straight and overall the first three laps were a nightmare that I had no grip. You know, turn 6 is very easy because you go through it putting as much gas as possible while trying not to heat the tire too much, but overall they were escaping every time on the first lap. It's purely a matter of grip and the first three laps were a disaster. I lost some positions but after three or four laps the grip was a little better. But then, to double up, I directly felt that the grip was not the same and it's frustrating when you felt good during all the sessions. Then comes the race and it's completely different, and that's why it's really frustrating. But, at the end, when the bikes put down Michelin rubber again on the track, I was able to go faster, but it was too late and I was too far away. »
On paper, it's a circuit that suits the Yamahas well and you behaved well during all the sessions. Do you think this is a missed opportunity?
«
This circuit is not the best for Yamaha because there is a straight which is quite important, but I did my best and I didn't give up. Doing better than today was difficult because I felt like I lost a lot of positions but to be honest I didn't feel like I made a lot of mistakes. You know, when others are doing better than you, they can prepare for overtaking much better, and that's why I lost all his positions. Unfortunately, we didn't have any real control from the rear. From the warm-up lap, I immediately felt that it was going to be difficult, but the race is over and we have to concentrate on the next one. »
At the start of the season, did you expect to see an Aprilia and a KTM at the top of the championship?
« Of course you never know what to expect but I never expected to see Aprilia and KTM at the top positions, but after pre-season everyone was very fast. Yes, there are a lot of surprises but I didn't expect to be, not so far because I'm 10 points away, but to struggle so much. »
The first three races were won by V4s. Does this worry you?
« For the moment, that doesn't worry me, but you never know. »
Aleix Espargaró won his first victory after 200 Grand Prix. Can you imagine his joy?
« To be honest, I'm really happy for Aleix! I'm very proud for him: he always seems angry but you never see him have any big complaints with his team and he really worked hard to get that. I'm very happy for him, but we have to stop him (laughs) in the race. You know, when I reported my first race, it was one of the best days of my career and I imagine for him it's on another level, so I'm really happy for him because he deserves it. »
And for Aprilia?
« And for Aprilia, of course! You know, when you come from that far away, because I remember Melandri first year, they were really far away. But they have gotten stronger and stronger and are now a very competitive bike and riders, so big congratulations to them! »
We have seen very inconsistent results from one race to the next: where is Yamaha in the hierarchy and can it be better next week in Texas?
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Honestly, I have no idea. I think it depends on a lot of things. In my opinion, the other bikes can get used to more circumstances than us, while for us we need to have very good conditions. That's what's frustrating, but hey, we'll see next week and whatever happens we'll have to try to give the maximum of ourselves. »
You say that the situation improved when we started to have a little more Michelin rubber on the ground. Does that mean that you still think that having Moto2 and Moto3 with Dunlops before it bothers you?
« In any case, it disturbs our Yamaha more than the others, because as I said earlier, turn number six is a very easy turn as a rider, and when you see someone who is going in front of you on these kinds of turns, it's frustrating because you know you can't do anything: it's only due to the lack of grip of the bike and the tire. But above all, it didn't work at first. It didn't work at first and it was a little better at the end, but still worse than the others, so it's really frustrating. »
With 9 different drivers on the podium in 3 races, how do you analyze this start to the season?
«
Honestly, I analyze that we are in difficulty because we need too many parameters for our bike to work. Honestly, we are not in a very good position but I think we have to get these things out of our heads and be focused at all times so that, as soon as there is an opportunity, we have to succeed in giving its maximum as I did in Indonesia. But honestly, it's really hard: I didn't expect the first three races to be so hard when it was last year. So we'll see, now we have another race in Austin and I think for me we'll really have to give it a go. »
Can being world champion help you manage this more complicated situation this year?
« It can help me, yes, because last year I also had a little difficult moments, but I didn't really have moments where I felt that the bike is really that much inferior to the others. I think these are new things for me and I will have to stay calm. Of course, last year helped me stay a little calmer. Lots of new things have been added to this race. »
Results of the Argentine MotoGP Grand Prix at the Termas de Río Hondo circuit:
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
