Last weekend, we already reported in full all the declarations of fabio quartararo, whether it be before ou after his splendid victory in the first Grand Prix of the 2020 season.
To complete the picture of this historic weekend for French motorcycle competition, we also collected the responses ofEric Mahe, his agent (and much more than that), especially since some people in the paddock would have a tendency to want to indirectly minimize the achievement of the young French driver who many others already see as Marc Márquez's main opponent...
Eric Mahé, you are obviously satisfied with this weekend where, after having repeatedly come close to victory last season, Fabio Quartararo brilliantly won the first race of the 2020 season, the Spanish Grand Prix...
" Of course. This first victory means that we no longer have to chase after it, it's done. More personally, I was not disappointed with the second places obtained last year; as long as everyone involved in the performance gave everything they could, it's already a victory. »
Barely after crossing the finish line, Fabio immediately thought of people suffering from Covid-19, his family and his best friend. Is this human side an important facet of his personality?
“Yes, Fabio is a very generous person, he likes to give. So he would have liked to share this live with the people he loves, his parents, Tom…. Now Fabio remains a boy focused on his mission, his objectives, his passion for motorcycles so it is important for him but not essential. I was able to observe this during confinement, we agreed to stay in Andorra together, I was a little worried and I was afraid that he would miss it. In the end it didn't cost anything, and I even have the impression that he grew from it, discovering other modes of operation... »
What do you think of Marc Márquez's impressive comeback? And statements by Alberto Puig regarding a potentially devalued stock ?
“We know Márquez, he’s a real performer and I’m in awe of the drivers who give their all. His comeback was dazzling to everyone, except for Fabio. Fabio was already halfway through the race managing the gap with his pursuers, he had 3 tenths in the heat. When Márquez falls, there are 3 laps remaining and Fabio is almost 5 seconds ahead. I don't know what Mr. Puig is talking about. At this stage of the race, Fabio was unreachable. Marc could have been the second hero of this race, the one who went out at the start of the race and who would still have finished second, limiting the damage by taking 20 points and without ending up in the hospital. Are we talking about a title without flavor if Marc misses races? We are not responsible for Marc's fall, Mr. Puig must deal with his moods; the 2020 Champion will be the 2020 Champion! »
How could the absence of Marc Márquez next weekend be a handicap for Fabio?
“Fabio will give his best, as always, Márquez there or not. Fabio himself admitted it at a press conference, he does not have the experience of Márquez and he predicted himself second at the end of this championship which had not started (see here). »
“Now we are in a special situation, the one who showed discernment during this first race was the least experienced; It makes me laugh, especially in relation to Alberto Puig's comments. »
How do you assess the competition and who are their most dangerous opponents, starting next weekend?
“This season will remain open until the end. Márquez, Dovi, Rins, Mir, Jack, Viñales… In my humble opinion, the favorite is Fabio, but all the aforementioned names will have a card to play. »
Is it too early to think about the world champion title?
“Thinking about it is useless, it can even be a hindrance. We must try to win as many races as possible, period! »
Has Fabio Quartararo's image changed at Yamaha this weekend?
" No. Fabio is Yamaha's hope to emerge from this titleless period. And this has been since our 2021 and 2022 signing with Yamaha Motor Company just before Christmas. »
