During the videoconference held yesterday, Claude Michy, the promoter of the French Grand Prix, discussed many current topics with Fabio Quartararo and Johann Zarco, starting with that of our national Grand Prix.
Claude Michy : “Before discussing, I will give you some information on the Shark Grand Prix de France which takes place on May 14, 15 and 16. Even with the situation that is currently in France and in the world, it seems necessary to me that there is a Grand Prix with national riders, for you, plus Lorenzo depending on who arrives in Moto3. We therefore worked a lot on health protocols to allow us to have the public. I think we will know around April 10 or 15 what we will be granted or not, with a fairly simple system of people who are tested, who send their PCR on a platform and who obtain a QR code on their phone which allows them to access the site. So we worked a lot on this subject, like everyone else, like air transport, Roland-Garros: All the major events are in the same pattern. Afterwards, the Ministry of Health and Sports will define for us the level that we can have or not, of public and spectators. It's exactly the same scheme as for fan zones, and we will of course inform people on our site and by all means of communication that exist. But what is important is that you need to know that this Grand Prix will take place, in the best conditions to welcome the public if we can do so, and otherwise it will unfortunately be behind closed doors. But it will exist, that is to say that the motorcycle will be present in France, and as you are the ambassadors, that's a good point! »
Claude Michy also benefited from the presence of fabio quartararo and John Zarco to ask them about their news after the MotoGP tests which have just taken place in Qatar. Factory rider, rider in an Italian team, Yamaha, Ducati, all these subjects were explained by the interested parties themselves before Claude Michy collected the reactions of our two top riders faced with the increasingly probable presence of Marc Márquez at the Qatar Grand Prix: “Do you think you’re going to see him next to you next week, or not?” »
fabio quartararo : " I think so. We don't really know the progress of his arm but I think it's certain that he has a little bit under his belt. We know very well that Marc has enormous experience. He is a rider who has been eight times world champion, including six in MotoGP, so even if he has not taken the test, we know very well that even if he is perhaps going to have difficulties on Friday, he will be there Saturday and Sunday. I think it's something good for the championship, to see that it's coming back. He helped me enormously during my first year because I took him as a hare and tried to follow him, which pushed my limits. I think that seeing him from the start of the championship is something good which will have an effect on a lot of drivers, including me, because it will be an additional motivation. »
Johann zarco : “Of course, he'll already be there for the family photo on Wednesday or Thursday, and since he's been riding, he's going to start riding. In my opinion, he will be able to do the whole weekend, and I hope so for him because he has been waiting for a long time. In my opinion, we are all well practiced, the drivers, because we had a big year last year and we had some good tests there: we are all very hot and we have the rhythm! He has the ability to get back into rhythm very quickly if he is not hampered by his arm, and even if he has a little discomfort, I think he will still go beyond that. On the other hand, when it goes further, it could perhaps recreate problems on his bone. Well, that's how I imagine it, because character-wise, he won't give up, but maybe it's after the fact that it could hurt him more, if it's hard for him to do well. , heal well. But since it's already been rolled and it's been sitting for a while, it must be properly healed. But this should be taken with a grain of salt…”
Claude Michy then points out that Marc Márquez can, perhaps, consider the Qatar Grand Prix as a very big training session to get back on track…
Johann zarco : " Yes ! He doesn't need to prove he's a fast driver. He is an eight-time world champion and so far he is the best. He was the best until last year. During the race that Fabio won at Jerez, it was a bit “thanks” to Fabio that Márquez came out of the game because Fabio started in the lead then Márquez made a small mistake. Then, he did everything to get back up and when he got angry to get back up, we looked ridiculous. Finally, we will say from 2nd to 15th, since Fabio was in front. And that clearly proved that he is above the rest. So, will it return to normal, with a year's break? I think so, but he doesn't need to prove it: He just needs to heal well. He must also have pressure from the fans and the media, because he is a star. »
