This Thursday, September 30, 2021, Fabio Quartararo answered questions from journalists from the Circuit of the Americas, ahead of the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
We went to listen (via teleconferencing software) to the words of the French driver, who still leads the championship with 48 points ahead of Francis Bagnaia.
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, you are coming off a very good race in Misano and you won your first podium in the world championship here in Austin in 2015. We are sure that you would sign for another podium this weekend…
fabio quartararo : " Yes, I'm very happy to be back here. It's a circuit that I really like and two years ago, for my first season in MotoGP, it was pretty good. Since that time, I think I have gained a lot of experience and it will go much better. Yes, it's a track that I like and I think I can have a good goal there. Of course the back straight will be something difficult for us but the first and last sector will be important to make up for it. »
In Misano you didn't seem to think much about the championship. Will it be the same here, and if so how hard is it not to think about it?
« Honestly, in Misano, I had a few heats when I was behind Jack (Miller), but as soon as I overtook I saw Pecco in front and I said to myself that I had to try. Second was OK for the championship, and ultimately that's the position I finished at Misano, but it's the race I had the most fun in this year. It's a shame that I couldn't finish in that (first) place at the end, but the race was very fast. I want more like this! Of course, if I see that I am in a difficult situation I would not push beyond my limits, but if I can do something like in Misano or a little better, I would do it. »
What do you think of comments from Michel Fabrizio attacking Marc Márquez following the death of Dean Berta Viñales?
« I haven't read them but Pecco explained them to me. I think, like he (Marc Márquez) said, sometimes people just want to talk and it's a waste of time to read what those kinds of people say. Everyone looks at him (Marc Márquez) because he is the favorite and he has been the best for the last 10 years. So of course, everyone wants to be like him, and I think that's normal. I don't really know the story but I think it's a waste of time. »
How does being right-handed or left-handed affect right and left turns?
« I think it depends a lot on the driver. I feel better on the right. I don't know why but I think it's just a natural thing in my riding. I think it's something that can't really be explained and is simply a preference of each driver. »
Maverick Viñales chose not to ride after the tragedy in Jerez. Do you receive sufficient support from the championship when such a tragedy occurs?
« It's a difficult situation for everyone. Unfortunately, we experienced that at Mugello and it was very hard. Of course, in Jerez it was very hard for everyone but even more so for Maverick because he was part of his own family. Regarding this subject, I don't want to talk much because I don't want to put myself in a situation on one side or the other. I won't say anything about it »
Would you like to be more involved in the FIM/Dorna process of trying to improve safety on circuits?
« At each circuit there is the safety commission, and honestly I think they do the best job they can. As Marc said before, I think there will always be risks in motorcycle racing. The evolution is already getting better each time, but for the moment I have no ideas for doing much better. I think they are already working very well. »
Do you think the number of warnings regarding exceeding track limits should be reduced?
« I think it's pretty good. There are some tracks, and Misano is one of them, where it's really easy to go over the track limits, but I think that's a fair thing: You have three possibilities and then a caution, so in that area I think that it's pretty OK. »
Photo credits: MotoGP.com
