In one season, the Petronas Yamaha team has established itself as a must-have not only for Yamaha but also within the MotoGP paddock. Its highest representative Razlan Razali is proud to rightly assert that his colors have brought a breath of fresh air. A positivity in attitudes and constant enthusiasm which created a synergy conducive to good results. What's more, the choice of drivers proved to be more than judicious, starting with Fabio Quartararo who emerged from the shadows and flourished in full light. Johan Stigefelt, the kingpin of the ensemble, remembers…
Johan Stigefelt is the team director Petronas SRT, the same one which revealed itself in 2019 as a solid supporting force for the factory Yamaha in MotoGP. However, everything had to be built, even its pilot duo which was far, at the start, from having the physiognomy of the one we know. So, if the name of Morbidely was arrested fairly quickly, that of the teammate took a long time. Johann Stigefelt remembers that it is Dani Pedrosa who then held the rope: “ in reality it was more of a wish from Dorna. We never spoke directly to Dani, and there was never an offer. »
The former official Honda finally deciding on a vocation as a test pilot for KTM, we had to think of someone else. And it's fabio quartararo which came out of the hat: “ I have followed Fabio since he was little " said Stigefelt à La Gazzetta dello Sport, and I had no doubt that he was a mega talent. When we learned at Assen that Pedrosa would be retiring, we found ourselves watching Moto2 with Razlan, where Fabio, who had won the first race in Barcelona, finished 2nd. “Why not take it?” » With the Speed Up, instead of a more competitive Kalex, he was impressive. »
Hence the call to his manager Eric Mahe who initially thought it was an offer for the Moto2 team. “ The first response was negative. But after a while he asked me what I was talking about. “MotoGP”. He told me he would call back. He was also in the car, with Fabio: a few minutes later the yes came. »
We know the rest… And his arrival had an effect on Yamaha : " after the many complaints made, the riders stopped, watching what he was doing with a less advanced bike. The way Fabio drives is fantastic, smooth, he has a perfect style for the M1 " finished Stigefelt. In 2020, the Frenchman will have a Yamaha identical to that of Casa Particular in Viñales and Red. Then, in 2021 as in 2022, he will be a driver within the factory team.
