Within the framework of the Shark Grand Prix de France press conference , promising was held on Tuesday in Paris, we were able to interview fabio quartararo who had just gotten off the plane from Texas.
The French pilot was able to answer questions from the many journalists present but we also wanted that day to clarify the intensity of the fight which opposed the French pilot to Marc Márquez in the last laps. Because yes, let's admit it, the fight was very intense and, rather unusually, we even jumped, thinking that it could end badly, when the Honda driver passed the curb and saw his foot come out of the chock. foot with a reaction to the millimeter ofThe Devil...
But the latter reassured us: “ Honestly and unfortunately, it wasn't the position I was hoping to fight with Marc, but it was the best moment of the race. I was really able to analyze a few little things behind him, on his bike and his riding style, and when you fight with Marc it's always a pleasure. Unfortunately, like I said, we were fighting for sixth position, but that was the most fun part of the race. »
At no time did you feel the slightest fear or stress?
« No no no no. For a moment, yes, because he lost the footrest and I hit his foot with my shoulder, but otherwise there is no fear and it is only pleasure. »
Before this conclusion, fabio quartararo had drawn up a sort of assessment of the current period: “ How are you. The return journey was a bit long because I arrived this morning at seven o'clock after a rather complicated Grand Prix, but that's okay, we can be satisfied because we gave everything, like in the last two races. I leave with that from these last two races. »
Still a little frustrated by the performance of the bike?
« Unfortunately yes. It's hard to go into a race knowing that you won't be able to fight for victory, and you know why you can't fight for victory. So now, we're not going to say that I've gotten used to it but we know that there are circuits where we really have difficulty. So we went into the race with what we had and I gave my all from start to finish. That's because I fought until the last lap to overtake Marc, and unfortunately I didn't succeed, but otherwise it went well. »
Do you think it will be better on the next circuits?
« Portugal is a circuit where we were very fast last year, but unfortunately it's a bit like a lot of circuits: if we start at the front, that's good, but if we're in a group we can't do our style of driving and we can't perform well. In Jerez, it's a circuit where we will perform well, and at the French Grand Prix too. Now we'll have to be really careful not to lose opportunities and try to score the greatest number of points in races where we know it's going to be very important. »
How do you see the French Grand Prix?
« We'll see ! In any case, it will definitely be good to see the public and spend some time with the fans. So of course there is motivation and stress but we will see if motivation comes first. »
Does the title of world champion bring additional pressure?
« No, no extra pressure because we won last year's title. This title was last year, and this year it's a new season. We can see that almost all brands have evolved enormously, and for me it's a new year. The title is therefore in the past and we have to think about the present to do the best possible each time. »
It may be a thing of the past, but in France with the title of world champion, it will inevitably change something with the public...
« Yes, obviously it will do good. I hope it's going to be spectacular because I think that's what the fans have been waiting for for a very long time, a French world champion in MotoGP. I don't think it's an additional pressure but more a motivation and a desire to experience it, because I think it's still unique. I hope the fans will really be there to support us. »
Can you win a world championship title with a bike that's slower in terms of engine?
«
We'll see ! For now, the goal is to do the best possible. We know very well that we lack speed, but I think that in the last race I managed to get it out of my head in the first laps. I knew that, unfortunately, the engine was not going to help us. But for now, it's true that we've only really been on circuits with a lot of straight lines, apart from Indonesia where we took pole in the dry and where we had the pace to win. So I'm looking forward to seeing that on circuits where there are a few fewer straights, to try to score as many points as possible there, and to limit the damage on circuits like Austin last weekend. »
The engine block is fixed for the whole year but is there any way to progress on the peripherals?
«
I hope ! I hope we can progress because the difference is enormous and I think it's not easy, really. When you ride alone and manage to pace yourself, you'll say that it's more or less doable, but as soon as you're in a group it's something you can't do. We have a fairly particular driving style and we can't really keep the same driving style whether we're in a group or alone. So that's the difficulty we have at the moment, plus the top speed. »
Is the French Grand Prix prepared differently?
“No, it’s actually prepared in the same way. You don't have to think about anything else because for me it's a very special Grand Prix since it's the French Grand Prix, but you have to take it like a normal Grand Prix, and I think that if you prepare for it 'a different way is where the pressure comes. »
Which part of the Le Mans circuit do you like the most?
“Especially the last sector, it’s a sector that I really appreciate. The first and the last sector are sectors that I like, of course sectors where there are a lot of turns and I think that's why I like it. It's a circuit that I didn't really appreciate when I was in the Moto3 and Moto2 categories, but on a MotoGP it's totally different and I manage to appreciate the circuit in a way that I didn't. the previous years. »
Will the European Grands Prix allow a little more consistency and performance?
« Regularity, I think we have it. Unfortunately, we have consistency but not in the good positions. We will see what our position will be in Europe, but in any case I think we managed to do a good job. But even if unfortunately we got positions that I don't like at all, more than arriving in Europe, I think that by arriving on circuits where there are fewer straight lines we can manage to compete against the others. »
What is your view on the very fluctuating hierarchy from one Grand Prix to the other? Is it going to be like this all season?
« We'll see ! I don't think it will be like this all season. I remember that a few years ago people said that it was a Yamaha circuit or that it was not a Yamaha circuit. I think it's mainly because at the time, the Yamaha chassis was superior to other brands, but now the Yamaha chassis is no longer superior to other brands, it's just that we are really inferior engine level. So now, we can say that there are Yamaha circuits because they must be circuits where there are as few straight lines as possible. So that's why we'll have to stay focused and not think too much about that engine, but just about scoring the most points when we know we have big opportunities. »
Do you already have an idea of when your future will become clear?
« Honestly, I don't know at all. To be honest, I don't even know where I'm going. Honestly, I really think about the present. I know very well that I have my agent who is looking after my future very very well and, for the moment, I only have one thing in mind, which is to try to do my best on this season. Of course my future will be decided in not very, very long. How soon, I don't know but I think it will be before summer. »
Everything is possible ?
« I'm not going to say that everything is possible, but in any case you have to study the market carefully. Of course, I know very well that my manager has had discussions, but for now here it is. I will have a conversation with my manager when I feel that we really have to decide about the future. »
Will it be decided before the French Grand Prix?
« That, I have no idea! I have no idea when it will be decided, but in any case I know that I am in good hands. »
Is it hard to distinguish between the future and the current season?
« No, honestly no. There may be a little moment, especially after the races, where we don't think about it a little more, but while I'm in my race weekend, I think of nothing other than the performance of the present . »
