Via the official website MotoGP.com, today we attended the first pre-event press conference “of the world after”, that is to say with the drivers spaced apart from each other, answering questions from journalists via the Zoom software.
Were present Marc Márquez, Maverick Vinales, Álex Rins, Fabio Quartararo, Valentino Rossi, Jack Miller and Pol Espargaró.
As usuale, we report here the entirety of the words of Fabio Quartararo, without the slightest formatting.
You have good memories here at Jerez, getting pole position last year. You finished second yesterday behind Maverick. How do you feel ?
fabio quartararo : “yes, finally, after such a long period without having ridden a MotoGP, it was very fun to feel the speed again and find the way to ride a MotoGP. But yesterday was not an easy day because in the end we only rode the 2020 bike at Sepang in Malaysia, and I struggled during the first session because it is completely different from the specifications I had Last year. But I saw yesterday that the potential of the bike was really good and we just have to adapt as quickly as possible, because we saw yesterday that the other boys were also very fast. »
What changes have you noticed on the 2020 bike? Will this be enough to close the gap with Marc?
“I think, like Maverick said, top speed is still something we need to improve, but honestly I feel very comfortable with the bike. There are still things I need to adjust from last year's bike but I think to make up the gap with Marc we will have to really do a good job because we know he is fast everywhere and in all conditions. So we will have to adapt quickly to each situation because he is very fast in the rain and he is very fast in mixed conditions like in Brno. So we will also have to adapt you as a driver for these kinds of conditions. »
What did you say to your bike when you first found it?
“Honestly, normally I talk to my bike more during qualifying or races, just to support it. On the grid there are all the mechanics and all the fans, then they gradually leave and, in the end, you find yourself alone with your bike and yourself. (I wish him that) we have a good time together, and what is most important, that we stay on two wheels. Yes, I think I have fun and the most beautiful thing (to say) before doing a qualifying lap or a race. »
You will suffer a penalty in tomorrow morning's session. Can you explain to us what happened and what was the misunderstanding?
“Honestly, I have no comment on this decision because, honestly, we did a session on a normal bike. Honestly, I wasn't very focused on this meeting because I had two 1.5 hour tests, and I focused on my riding. It's more of a decision between the FIM and the team. »
You've been doing a lot of cardio training this winter. How does this translate to the bike? Does it make it easier for you to breathe and does it lower your heart rate?
“You know, after five months without riding, you can't really feel if it's working or not, because you're more stressed on the bike. But honestly, I think I did a really good job on cardio and I also worked on my arms a little bit because last year I had some problems with my shoulders. So I think I did a good job but we will have to look better during the races. But I'm very happy with it. »
We heard that Valentino would like to take part of his team into the Petronas team. Are you going to do the same by going to the Factory team next year?
“It’s something we haven’t talked about yet but we will of course talk about it very soon. Of course, I would like to take quite a few people from the team with me, but as I told you, we will make the decision soon who I can bring to the factory team. »
To conclude, Fabio Quartararo predicted Marc Márquez, himself, Maverick Viñales, Jack Miller and Álex Rins as Top 5 for the 2020 championship (see here).
Photo credits: MotoGP.com
