This Friday June 24, 2022, fabio quartararo answered questions from journalists from the TT Circuit Assen at the end of the first day of the Dutch Grand Prix.
After dominating the Catalan Grand Prix from start to finish, and doing the same in Germany, El Diablo arrives in Holland with a championship lead of 34 points one round before the summer break. Down at the end of FP1 in the wet, The Devil raised the bar this afternoon, both in the wet and in the dry…
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).
How did the Yamaha behave in these delicate conditions?
fabio quartararo : " I was quite careful in sector four and turn six, but in all other parts I more or less drove like it was dry. Even the time after 11 laps was more or less race pace. So it was not bad and the worst was the first part of FP2, with wet tires on a dry track but with some wet areas. It was the worst conditions, even for me, but it wasn't that bad and I think we had a pretty good feeling today. »
This morning in the wet, was it difficult to get the tires up to temperature?
« It was quite easy for me and the only thing quite difficult is when you start the first lap on the slicks when you have only used the wet tyres. This is a moment where you have to be very careful but at the same time not too slow because otherwise the tires cool down too much and it is then impossible to warm them up again. So I would say that's the only tricky part, but if it's dry, even if it's cold, there's no problem. »
What suspension settings did you have for the end of FP2?
« It was a little soft, because I know that when I use the standard settings, the first round is very bad for me. The Yamaha is typically very rigid and you cannot put it on an angle. So we added less (hardness), but not halfway between hard and soft. But in the end it was worse. Of course, there was a benefit for the first laps, but at the end, when I had to push more to get better times, it was less good. But today wasn't the most important thing, we just had to find the feeling and it was a good day. »
Today, have you looked at the weather forecast for tomorrow?
« Every time you look there is something different. It will be the same for everyone but of course I would prefer to have a dry track. I looked at the weather Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and each time it was different. I don't care about the weather because it will be the same for everyone. »
As it was wet today, maybe it would be better to have the qualification in the wet too?
« No, but this afternoon it was OK because you could do 10 laps on the soft tire, and really, you just had to find rhythm. So I would say that it was a fairly easy session but of course FP3 tomorrow will be a different story, with two attacks on the clock, new tires to really push the pace in order to see the real potential of the tires, but today it was a normal session. »
If the race took place tomorrow, do you feel ready in terms of settings?
« We have had the same bike since Qatar. We only change the springs and nothing else. So if I were to start the race right away, it would be OK. Of course, you just have to decide on your tires, and that's the only thing that remains a question mark. But our settings are always the same, and I think that's good because you can adapt quickly to the bike. But this morning, when you're aquaplaning down the straight in fifth or sixth gear, no one really sees it but when I stopped in the box I said it's really dangerous. Afterwards, in the turns it was OK. »
Do you think it is the responsibility of the drivers or the race management to possibly stop the session?
« If it's dangerous but some drivers are improving, of course you have to go there and improve. But it is not our responsibility. It's more the responsibility of race management to see what the conditions are and listen to the drivers. »
Did you find good sensations in the wet after Indonesia?
« Yes ! The position doesn't reflect it at all: this morning, we were in a bit of difficulty, especially at the end, because I preferred not to push to the maximum. Frankly, I even saw it a little bit, not dangerous but I didn't want to put myself in the red from FP1. But yes, the sensations are good and I think we can still fight for good results in the rain. »
Doesn't the fact of not pushing as much as possible in the wet risk handicapping you a little if the race takes place in the rain?
« It's especially in certain corners where it will be said that I didn't want to push to the maximum. Even on my best lap, I lost 6/10 in two turns, so that already brings us closer to a second, and after this half-second or these 6 or 7 tenths which we are missing, we know very well that in the race we manage to take them. The most important thing was to see the feeling we had on the angle, and the grip we had was quite good, so I'm not too worried. »
How was it drying out?
« It was complicated, especially the last sector. I think that when it's really dry, we still have some margin. In turn 6, I was not yet 100% and I preferred to keep a little margin in this turn, especially in FP2. But in general, I had a very good pace, especially in the conditions where I have never really performed well. »
Did you consider FP2 as an FP2 or as an FP3?
« No, no, no: it was an FP2. Tomorrow, normally, it won't rain in the morning, and until the afternoon after qualifying, so I didn't push like an FP3. Otherwise, I would have put another tire at the end, another soft tire which was not useful. Even the software, at the end it was already starting to be a little worn out. But the most important thing was to gain pace and already gain a little confidence in these conditions. »
Have you already identified a little bit the main opponents, in the wet and in the dry?
« It's a bit the same as usual and it's not difficult to know. But it's still too early and for now I'm not focusing on the opponents, but above all on fighting for the podium and the victory. It is the most important.
»
MotoGP Dutch Grand Prix FP2 results at TT Assen:
Credit Ranking: MotoGP.com