Just after a masterful podium at Mugello, fabio quartararo heads to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya this weekend. His factory team Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team is particularly motivated for this ninth round of the MotoGP world championship, since it shares the title sponsor.
fabio quartararo arrives at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmeló, a suburb of Barcelona, with a feeling of euphoria after capping a difficult race weekend with a second place on the podium and an increased lead in the overall championship standings. He kept many rivals at bay in the Mugello arena, which he didn't expect to be one of his best circuits this year. This gives him high hopes for Montmeló next weekend, a circuit where he and his Yamaha excel.
The Devil enjoyed his share of success at the Catalan GP.
– He qualified on pole position in Moto2™ in 2018. Aged 19 years and 57 days, he became the second youngest to qualify on pole position in Moto2™ at that time behind Marc Márquez (18 years old and 114 days).
– He then won in Moto2™ in 2018, becoming the sixth youngest rider to win in the intermediate category at that time, behind Marco Melandri.
– 2019 was Quartararo’s first race in Barcelona in MotoGP™; he qualified on pole for the second time in the category and subsequently finished second for his first MotoGP™ podium.
– In 2020, he qualified second for his 20th MotoGP™ front row and went on to win his third (and final) race of the season.
– In 2021, he qualified in pole position for the second time at the circuit but dropped to fifth place early in the race, before moving back up and taking the lead at the halfway mark. He then had a problem with his leather and eventually crossed the line in third, but he earned a three-second penalty for a shortcut at turns 1 and 2 when he was overtaken by Johann Zarco. After the race, he received another three-second penalty for riding with his leather suit unfastened and dropped to sixth place.
The Frenchman leads the world championship by 8 points ahead Aleix Espargaró, of 28 on Enea Bastianini and 41 on Francis Bagnaia.
Work to create the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya began in 1989. Two years later, the circuit was inaugurated, and it quickly became a crowd favorite after hosting its first MotoGP race in 1992. With a layout of 4,6 km made up of 14 turns (six left, eight right), the Catalan circuit is known for producing thrilling races.
Fabio Quartararo: « I can't wait to ride in Catalonia. We left Mugello in better shape than expected, which means we have good potential this weekend. I like Montmeló. It's generally a good circuit for me, so I'll try to get on another podium and maybe even win. We will do our best! »
Massimo Meregalli: “ Last weekend's podium was a fantastic result for the team. This achievement at Mugello, which is a difficult circuit for us, was significant. It was a big morale boost ahead of an important weekend for us and our title sponsor Monster Energy. We are usually very competitive in Catalonia. This circuit corresponds much better to the strengths of our bike. We think we have good potential here this weekend. »
