Fabio Quartararo is preparing to embark on a 2022 season which will be that of the defense of his world title. He keeps in mind the good moments of the campaign which forever made him the first Frenchman to have achieved success at this level of the competition. Among these moments, he highlights a racing event which pitted him against his compatriot Johann Zarco and which turned to his advantage. A delicious tricolor moment that he recounts, among other well-felt things…
fabio quartararo arrives in 2022 on the MotoGP scene as the one to whom the 23 other colleagues on the starting grid will resent his world crown. A great power which will generate a great responsibility, and the official of a factory Yamaha with whom he is in negotiations for a lease renewal is indeed ready to assume. He is pumped up, with this inexhaustible reserve of energy that the good memories of a victorious campaign offer him: “ when I won at Portimao, which in 2020 had been the worst circuit for us, I did it with an impressive race pace and I said to myself: 'this is my year' », admits the pilot of 22 years, who highlights his change in mentality from one year to the next, citing as an example what happened at the Catalan Grand Prix, one of the most complicated moments of the route: “ there was someone who complained to the Race Direction because my suit was open, so they gave me an extra 3 second penalty. I could have been really angry, but I laughed it off and thought, 'That's not going to stop me.' “, he concedes.
He also says : " the moment of the celebration was incredible. I think I've seen this celebration about 50 times and I will keep it with me forever. In 2016, my mother cried with grief. On this occasion, we all cried with joy. If I am here today, it is because they were with me since I was little. Celebrating with the people I love most was the best moment for me. The 15 hours following the checkered flag were dizzying ».
Fabio Quartararo: “I don’t want to appear pretentious…”
Public chat speedweek he was asked whether he considered himself the best driver of the 2021 vintage. As always, he cautiously answers: “ I would say myself, because I won the title and the best driver wins the title that year, so… ».
Then he elaborates: “ It's true, it's a little embarrassing because I don't want to seem pretentious. But honestly, the previous season, it was Mir who won the world championship and for me, the best should not be the fastest driver. For me, the best driver is the one who is the best after all the races. Every year is different and I think we can say that we were the best of the season in that regard “, he ends.
His conclusion is intended as a nod to his compatriot Johann zarco, and it concerns an overrun: “ it was against Johann Zarco at the second Austrian Grand Prix ", tell Quarterly. " We didn't see it on TV, but I came very far behind. From a helicopter perspective you would probably see it, it was in the first five rounds. I was about 25 meters behind him and managed to pass him. I would say this is my best passing maneuver. In the same corner, I also overtook Márquez and Martin on the outside », recalled the star Yamaha after his maneuver in turn 3 of the Red Bull Ring. Revenge in 2022 for the Ducati Pramac rider?
