The SHARK Helmets Grand Prix de France 2019 organized its press conference this Tuesday in Paris on the Bateaux Mouches in the presence of around a hundred guests, bringing together media, partners and drivers.
The opportunity for Claude Michy, the promoter of the French Grand Prix, to present all the key elements of the French Grand Prix, with particular emphasis on making new videos available (visit to the Race Direction, the KTM box with Johann Zarco, etc. .) which will be accessible on site for spectators via a QR Code, as well as the 3rd edition of the International Bridgestone Handy Race discussed in the presence of Kevin Simonato, Vice-President of the Handi Free Riders association, andEmiliano Malagoli, President of the Italian association Di. Di. Variously Disabled.
Before letting the six pilots present speak, the floor was given to Jacques Bolle, President of the FFM, Patrick François, President of SHARK Helmets, the French company title sponsor for the 3 upcoming editions of the French Moto Grand Prix, as well as Didier Lahaye et Thomas Senecal, respectively Deputy Director of Sports and Editor-in-Chief of Motor Sports for the Canal+ group.
Finally, the MotoGP riders Johann zarco, Fabio Quartararo et Miguel Oliveira, as well as MotoE riders Randy De Puniet, Mike Di Meglio et Kenny Foray, were able to answer questions from Remy Tissier before taking part in the photos and interviews.
What is the fondest memory of your young career?
fabio quartararo : " it's hard to say. I had some good moments, but I think the best moment was going straight into Q2 in MotoGP for my first Grand Prix, and finishing 5th with a very good time. I think it’s my best memory from my early career.”
An exceptional start to your career, very good winter tests, and you don't fall! You surprised everyone...
“Yes, it’s true that we had some really good winter tests. Let's say that in November, my goal was not to fall, but when we arrived in Malaysia, we started to perform well. I think we finished 15th or 16th in the test, and we saw that it was very close. Then, in Qatar, I felt really good. I worked a lot on the braking phases which were our weak point, and it was from there that we really started to have a really good pace, and we finished 2nd in the winter tests in Qatar.”
Then there is the Saturday performance where you qualify on the 2nd row…
“More than the qualification, I think our FP4 was great. I think we did 15 laps in 1'55 low and 1'55 high, so it was a very good race pace. Afterwards, I think we still have a lot to learn: we have to keep our feet on the ground to continue working, and why not hope to achieve very good results in the races to come.”
Your manager, Eric Mahé, told us that he was surprised because you had no pressure during the winter, neither on Friday nor on Saturday. But this one happened a few hours before the Grand Prix, when you told yourself that you were going to race in a few minutes against Valentino Rossi and Marc Márquez…
" No no. I think it wasn't because of who I was going to ride with. But it's true that 2 hours before departure, I started to stress. What's strange is that when I arrived on the grid, I no longer had any pressure, whereas normally it's completely the opposite. Unfortunately, what happened in the race, but seeing the pace I had throughout the weekend, I can be satisfied.”
What really happened on the starting grid?
“Nothing special, I stalled. It's simply that I had never started with 22 or 23 riders (MotoGP) on the grid. I also believe that even Miguel (Oliveira) stalled in the race. I think this is something that we will have to take into account for the next races.”
From your first Grand Prix in MotoGP, you became a star, since you were invited to the Parc des Princes, in Neymar's dressing room for the PSG-OM match...
“So first of all, not a star, but it's true that for the moment, we're doing very good things in MotoGP, and it's true that it was cool to go to the match accompanied by such a person ".
In his dressing room?
“Yes, we were in his dressing room with him during the match.”
