It's nothing to say that Fabio Quartararo made an impression in this 2019 MotoGP season, which was his first at this highest level of motorcycle speed competition. However, did he make history? Here is the answer provided by this interesting insight from Speedweek… And which puts the young Frenchman in very good company!
fabio quartararo was the great rider of the 2019 MotoGP season. But where does the Petronas–Yamaha rider stand compared to Marc Márquez, Jorge Lorenzo and Co. When they were rookies themselves? The Frenchman began his first season in the premier Grand Prix class with a rookie mistake in Doha when he stalled with his Yamaha M1 on the grid. But with the best lap in the race, he immediately underlined his potential, which should develop fully throughout the year: six pole positions (Jerez, Barcelona, Assen, Buriram, Sepang, Valencia), two fastest laps in the race (Doha and Le Mans), seven podiums (Barcelona, Assen, Spielberg, Misano, Buriram, Motegi, Valencia) and fifth place in the championship. Sorry!
The title of “Rookie of the Year” was almost a minor issue, because the young Nice native also shone as the best independent driver of the year, in the best independent team: Yamaha SRT Petronas, also dedicated thanks to Franco Morbidelli.
From Marc Márquez, no newcomer to MotoGP has been better than “El Diablo”, who collected 192 points last season. To compare : Morbidely, last year, had 50 points to be voted best rookie of the year. Fabio's predecessors are: Johann zarco (2017: 174 points, 2 pole positions, 3 podiums), Tito Rabat (2016: 29 points), Maverick Vinales (2015: 97 points), Pol Espargaro (2014: 136 points).
During its first year in 2013, Márquez surpassed all with 334 points, nine pole positions, 16 podiums, six victories and the world title. Quartararo, however, set a record at the Spanish Grand Prix. Since Jerez, the Frenchman is the youngest author of a pole position in the history of MotoGP. He then had exactly 20 years and 14 days.
In the MotoGP era, two other Spanish debutants also immediately impressed: Dani Pedrosa (2006: 215 points, 4 pole positions, 8 podiums, 2 victories) and Jorge Lorenzo (2008: 190 points, 4 pole positions, 6 podiums, 1 victory).
However, there were 19 Grand Prix on the calendar for the first time in 2019 (in 2013 there were 18, 2008 and 2006 only 17). In terms of number of podiums, only Márquez et Pedrosa are ahead of the Frenchman who, however, was unable to achieve a victory.
speedweek also consulted the history books, remembering the 500 period. Of the 16 Grands Prix of the time, Valentino Rossi (10 podiums, 2 victories), Max Biaggi (8 podiums, 2 victories, 2 pole positions), Wayne Rainey (7 podiums, 1 victory, 1 pole position) and Giacomo Agostini (7 podiums, 1 victory) are worth mentioning. Finally, the record holder for world championship titles finished in the top three seven times in eight races in the 1965 500 race.
