On this Saturday August 14, 2021, Fabio Quartararo answered questions from journalists from the Red Bull Ring circuit, at the end of the second day of the Austrian Grand Prix.
We went to listen (via teleconferencing software) to the words of the French rider, who leads the world championship and whose teammate has just been laid off by Yamaha.
As usual, we report here the words of Fabio Quartararo without the slightest formatting.
Fabio, you must have thought you were in pole position when you did 1'22.6. You must be disappointed but happy to be on the front line because it is the most important…
fabio quartararo : " Yes, it was something great to be under 1'23 in Q2, but it was quite funny, because when I did 1'22″6, I knew it was very fast but at one point I asked myself “23.6 or 22.6?” ". It was definitely a quick ride being alone. We suffer a lot in the first sector but I feel very strong with the bike in the second and fourth. Of course, the taste of a pole position on a difficult circuit for us would have been great, but the front row is fantastic to start here, especially for the second week in Austria. »
The conditions changed throughout the sessions this weekend but did you find that little something you were looking for on Thursday to be more competitive?
« Yes, we found it and I think we showed in FP4 that our pace is very solid: Regardless of the rear tires, I feel very good. I didn't feel any degradation like during the last race. I know it's completely different in the race but comparing the two FP4s, I feel that even with the worn tire I have a good pace. I was constantly in the small 24 during my first run and I think that's something very good for tomorrow's race. I don't have a specific goal for tomorrow, just do my best, and I think we can get a good result. »
In the parc ferme, you said you were a little disappointed and annoyed by certain drivers. Can you expand?
« During the second run, I had a few riders behind me. They were drivers with whom I always do my laps when they are behind me, in a normal way, as if no one was behind. But today I knew I needed someone to take the tour, because even a little distant aspiration would have helped. We saw Jorge take pole position for 34 milliseconds, so that might have helped and today I decided not to pull anyone as I knew my lap would get the front row. So I decided not to attack. »
What is the atmosphere like in the garage, with only one side of the box occupied?
« The atmosphere is very good. I have my people in the garage. A mechanic from Maverick stayed to help and I want to thank him because he is working on my bike when he could be at home. So thanks to him, and the atmosphere is fantastic. »
Jorge Martín said he was simply aiming for the top five. Do you believe him or do you consider him the favorite?
« Yes, it’s normal (for him to say that). I experienced this situation in 2019: I wanted to win and I wanted to make a podium, but when you are a rookie you can say whatever you want, like “I will be super happy with a top five”. But in your mind, the only thing you want is to fight for victory. He has to enjoy this moment where, if he finishes fifth, sixth or seventh, it's a good result for a rookie. But I know that in his head he wants to do the same thing as last week (smiles). He can take advantage of this situation... But he is smart! »
Whatever happens tomorrow, you cannot lose command of the championship after these two races on a typical Ducati circuit. This is the dream scenario for Yamaha, even if you say you don't have a specific goal...
« I don't have a specific objective because it is very difficult to fight in the race on this track, unlike Assen for example where the straight is very short. A lot will depend on the first round but of course I will give everything. I think we have the pace to fight for the podium or the top 5, but I won't go crazy if I see someone needing to go faster. I will do the best I can, going to the limit but without exceeding my limit. I will go 100% throughout the race, but no more. »
We saw you skid 20 cm from the green paint. How do you manage to be so precise at this speed?
« That’s talent (laughs)! No, I think I'm putting myself at the limit, but I also thank the electronics because when you come into the corner so quickly and you see the green, you try to open up to avoid the green, like last week but I could not do it. In qualifying, with the new tire, you can do that a little more but in the end, thanks to your experience since it's the second race here, you already know if you are arriving too quickly. So in qualifying you can make small mistakes and compensate for them by slipping, but sometimes that's not the best. »
What do you think of the future layout of the circuit?
« I think it's better for security. Today I had a front end lock up at turn #3 and to be honest it's a pretty scary place to have a lock up. Even when the blockage is very small, you feel things three times more intensely than usual. So I think it will be better, just like the fact that there will be fewer straights will be better for us. »
Today we saw a lot of riders going out in the gravel at turn #4. What is its difficulty?
« Turn #4 is a place where you always want to brake a little harder. I always want to brake there a little late I think it's a corner where, if you go through it normally, you want to try harder each time. But at turn #3, many drivers also widen, but there is asphalt. When there is gravel, you lose a little more time. I think on this circuit you do a lot of time braking, and that's why everyone tries to brake as late as possible, and each time a little more. »
Ranking of qualifications of Austrian MotoGP Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring:
Credit ranking: MotoGP.com
