On a very regular basis, and for two years now, Hervé Poncharal has done us the honor of sharing his point of view with us after each Grand Prix (See here).
Listening to his words, which are the fruit of 40 years of experience, is always a pleasure, especially since the man does not have his tongue in his pocket. We thus share with you his emotions, which can fluctuate throughout the trials from disappointment to the greatest joys, without obscuring the small passing gnashing of teeth or, on the contrary, the flights which go well beyond sport...
And we thank him greatly!
Can we say a word about Fabio Quartararo who, at 19 years old, delighted all French enthusiasts this weekend in Barcelona by winning the Moto2 Grand Prix after the long crossing of the desert which followed his sensational arrival in the championship of the world ?
" Of course ! It's clear that it was a magnificent moment of sport, for everyone, but of course more particularly for the entire French colony which came en masse to Barcelona. I might even say that they were more numerous than the Spanish fans. For everyone, but also for us and for me, it was a very strong moment because we don't have many drivers in France who are capable of winning Grands Prix. We knew that Fabio had an extraordinary talent and, without wanting to in any way take the blame for myself since I did nothing to make him do what he did, I always said that for For me, it was the French driver that I saw arriving in the world championship who had the strongest raw talent. I even told his dad that it made my hair stand on end. We remember the performances he made in CEV and his first races in world Moto3, after the Quartararo Rule was implemented to allow him to attack the season before the regulatory 16 years. This means that everyone, FIM, Dorna, IRTA, was aware that a phenomenon was emerging in terms of speed. Then, for reasons that I do not know because I was never part of his close entourage, neither technical nor at the management level, the results did not live up to what we were able and capable of. right to wait. But the fact that even if it took a long time, it happens, and it happened in Barcelona in Moto2 which is perhaps the most difficult category of the 3 categories that we have in the world championship, the fact of having took pole which was a magical moment, then to transform this pole into victory and to have done this race that he did, having the speed and being, at least seen from the outside, easier and more at the limit that his pursuers, with the Mano a Mano with Oliveira who is still a big name, it was magnificent! And what amazed us incredibly was that at one point he decided to raise his voice and speed up the pace. He then opened an incredible gap, and Oliveira, as an experienced driver, saw that he did not have what it took to respond to him and secure his 2nd place. There, Fabio had a great champion race, which everyone hoped for. Now, it's no longer hope, it's reality: it's done and it's something he has acquired forever! He completed his entire race without making a single mistake and only turned around in the last part of the last lap, proof that he was focused and confident. He was not only strong in driving but also strong in his mind. He finished his race as a winner, a very, very good winner. The energy he showed while celebrating in the parc ferme, it can't help but bring tears to your eyes!
Because you tell yourself that there, he expresses all the jubilation and happiness of winning, but also all the frustration of these races and all these years where he was not able to do what he wanted to do.
It's very good to see that after Johann who dominated the Moto2 category, we have a rider who can not only play at the front but who can also possibly win the title in the near future. This Marseillaise was extremely moving for everyone, including everyone at Tech3, and for my apple.
In any case, a big congratulations to him because he kept this impulse, this enthusiasm, this desire, this motivation, and he gave a sublime performance! What he did there was of the caliber of the very great. What I hope is that he becomes a very big one because he has everything to become one. Well done Fabio! »
Find all of Hervé Poncharal’s other debriefings here!
