This Saturday August 20, 2022, fabio quartararo answered questions from journalists from the Red Bull Ring circuit at the end of the second day of the Austrian Grand Prix.
And despite an unfavorable track for his Yamaha M1, the Frenchman is still there, playing at the forefront in the middle of an armada of Ducatis, albeit very slightly behind compared to the day before.
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 was your day, Fabio?
fabio quartararo : " I think it's a bit like all our weekends: Friday goes perfectly, Saturday goes well too but the others take a big step forward and we stay in the same place. So it is quite difficult to take a step forward and progress. I push myself to the limit but it's never enough. So I'm always disappointed with the result, but I'm getting used to it and the most important thing is that I feel like I'm not giving 100%. »
Have you changed your mind about Sprint racing?
« I won't answer this question again but I won't change my opinion from yesterday. »
Will these races be as valuable as the Grands Prix?
« I do not think so. For me, the Grand Prix is Sunday (laughs). »
In Formula 1, they don't count that as a victory...
“No, and I think it’s not a race. It's something, but the race is on Sunday. »
Should the Sprint race have been used as qualifying?
« I do not know. I'll do what they tell me to do, but in the end I think it's very good for us that the qualification decides the position for the real race.
»
They said the total mileage wouldn't change, so it shouldn't be a problem physically...
« You talk about mileage, but doing 14 laps in FP4 or racing, the amount of risk and the amount of energy you give is not the same in FP4 and racing. But it's the same mileage. »
Is the race here the toughest of the season, against the Ducatis?
« (Laughs) Every race gets harder and harder, so I don't know if it's the hardest but I've been in the middle of the Ducatis during every session, so that means they go very fast and at every session, so of course it won't be easy. »
What is the key for tomorrow, if there is one?
« It's hard to find a key but I think a perfect start, a perfect first lap, preserve the tire well and then see what happens. »
Can you still take advantage of the chicane?
« Okay, it's not bad. I think that in qualifying I don't win much but in the end this chicane is very good for me. But when I come out of turn 2B towards 3, going uphill, I need more power. But we don't have any (laughs). »
Will you be able to try the new bike during the test in Misano?
« We haven't talked about it yet but I think I'm going to try the engine on the 2023 bike. »
Why is it difficult for you to always stay on the limit to fight against the Ducatis?
« (Laughs) Because, in qualifying, at each turn, I don't know if I'm going to turn or if I'm going to go into the gravel. This is the most difficult thing: my front moves a lot, the bike moves, and in the end I don't have 100% control during qualifying. On race pace you can always be more or less good, but in qualifying I have no control and I'm just out of control (laughs). This is a problem, whereas in 2019, and even last year, I was better and much more regular. But this year it's a nightmare for us and I don't enjoy qualifying like I did before.
»
Will the return of Cal Crutchlow to replace Andrea Dovizioso help you?
« I don't know if he'll try new parts for next year, but at least he'll do some miles. I don't know if he's completely 100% to race, but at least he's going to do more miles, and as soon as he tries the 2023 bike he'll be, I wouldn't say in good shape because Cal is one of the fittest riders, but at least he will be able to do a lot more daytime riding on a MotoGP. But Cal does a really good job.
»
Results of Qualifying 2 of the Austrian MotoGP Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring:
Results of Qualifying 1 of the Austrian MotoGP Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring:
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
