On this Sunday, April 4, 2021, fabio quartararo answered questions from journalists from the Losail circuit at the conclusion of the Doha Grand Prix.
The conference brought together Fabio Quartararo, Johann zarco, and Jorge Martin.
As usual, we report here the words of Fabio Quartararo without the slightest formatting.
Fabio, congratulations! You probably had your best race in MotoGP…
fabio quartararo : " Yes thank you very much ! I haven't won many races, so of course this one is the most special. I came back from ninth position, since I believe that in the middle of the race I was more or less in that position. I felt really good in the overtaking areas, like turns 10 and 15. And at that moment I felt like I could win the race. It was totally different from last week, because last week I drove a bit like an amateur, like a rookie, since I didn't play with the maps or the tires. I did just the opposite in this second race and I appreciate winning, as does the fact that the two Frenchmen did one and two. I think it's been a long time since we've seen this, and I don't even know if we've really seen this before. So I am very happy with this victory. »
“For sure this is the most special victory!” – @FabioQ20 🎙️
We're certainly not going to argue, Fabio! 👏#DohaGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/psoOwCoZKy
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 4, 2021
How much did you need this win compared to your teammate Maverick Viñales who won last week?
« No, honestly I have a good relationship with Maverick. Of course, in the first moments you are a little frustrated, but in the end it's good because we see that the potential of the bike allows you to win. At some point you have to say to yourself, “OK, he won, but what should I do?” I'm not going to get angry with him! "I have a good relationship and I'm happy for him, but I'm going to work even harder, and I'm going to do it for myself too. I think the relationship is good and I think we did a good job in the preseason because I felt like we were working in the same direction. It's better to fight for the victory than to fight against each other for a place in the top 10. I think we did a very good job. »
The Yamaha won the first two races and you finished fifth and first. How do you think she will behave when she returns to Europe?
« We will see in two weeks because Portimão is one of the most difficult tracks for us. We suffered there and, in the end, apart from Franco (Morbidelli) who has 2019 specifications and who finished third, I think we finished 10th, 11th and 14th. This will be the moment when we will see the potential of our bike. For the moment, I can say that the overtaking is much better compared to last year, because I have the feeling to feel the limit: I know where the limit is! I had very good feelings here in Qatar so we'll see in the other races, but I feel good on the bike! »
What is the most positive point of this weekend for you?
« As I said before, I feel like last week I drove like a rookie. I didn't play with the maps and I didn't check the rear tire. I spent three days in the hotel wondering why I didn't use my head while I was driving (laughs). There, when I was ninth, I said to myself “OK! We will try to give our best.” Once I told myself that, I was like “no, no, no!” We will try to seek victory.” Currently I feel very good when overtaking, I can brake very hard and keep the brakes on the corner. I feel like this win gives me a lot more confidence than last year's wins because I've come a long way. During the test it was difficult to say: the Ducatis are fast in a straight line and have good pace. It's hard to beat them. But actually you have to look at yourself and try to be the best you can. This is what we did today, and it gives me extra confidence for the future. »
Last week we saw Maverick break away from the pack to win. This week, it's you. Is it due to the bike, the circuit or your riding style?
« Honestly, I'm very happy because it's true that this circuit helps us a lot to do good overtaking, like at the exit of turn three where I feel very good with the bike, eight, nine and 10 to overtake, then the 15 But it's also good that we have a lot of confidence with the front end, because all the riders are very fast. Sometimes you overtake but you don't know what's going to happen next: you feel the front moving. This is something we didn't have last year: I would just enter the corner, without feeling, then I would lose the front. With this bike, I feel that I have a little more confidence in the front and I feel the limit a lot more. And in the end, that's what I need to go fast, and we got it in Qatar. Fingers crossed I'll have it in all the races so I can try some solid overtaking. »
What was it like to fight against a Frenchman?
« (Laughs) Honestly, it was good. This is what I said: we had an interview together with Claude Michy 10 days ago, and he asked us what would happen if we were together at the last corner. Fortunately, I was a few meters ahead of Johann (laughs) but it's really good to be both on the podium. When he started singing the French anthem, I was very moved, on the verge of tears, but he made me laugh and it was a great moment together. I think sharing the podium with Johann was one of the best moments of my career. »
What was the key to moving up from ninth position when the race was faster than last week?
« Of course, when you're ninth and you know you don't have the fastest bike in a straight line, it's difficult, but I felt really good at that moment. I saw Maverick coming and I played a lot with the maps and the tires, then I said to myself "OK, now it's time to press the maps button and attack like hell". And that's what I did for the last 10 laps. Yes, I'm very happy, and I was so comfortable overtaking that I've never felt so good. When I passed Johann, I caught Jorge directly, then when I passed him in turn 15 I think my elbow was really close to his rear wheel. Yes, I felt that I rode very well, like a MotoGP rider, because as I said the first race was not the best for me, but I learned from that and that gives me confidence. »
Between you and Maverick Viñales, Yamaha won both races in Qatar. Can we make positive predictions for the rest of the season?
« Everything in its time ! Last year I won the first two races at Jerez, the second by eight seconds or eight seconds at the time of the race, so everything in its time. We raced on the same circuit twice, so…
I have confidence with the bike, and I feel like we can be fast, but I don't want to tell you 'yes' and then have it be 'no'. For the moment, it's a moment where I believe in our bike but I can't say that it will work later. At the moment we have a very good bike. »
The last time two French people were on the podium in the premier category was in 1954 with Pierre Monneret and Jacques Collot who finished first and third. Do you know these names and how does it feel to finish first and second?
“In 1994, it wasn’t even planned for me to live. I was born five years later and…”
Johann Zarco then intervenes to tell Fabio: “ No, 54, 1954, even your father wasn't born, so, sure: you weren't even a project... »
« Oh. I thought 94. I've never heard of these guys (laughs). Yes, I believe we have done something historic and it will be difficult to match the same result as today. I feel proud for France and I think Johann does too. »
Are you surprised by Jorge Martin's performance?
« Yes. In the last race he suffered with the rear tire and I thought he was going to say 'OK, I made this mistake in the last race and I need to slow down'. But he led almost the entire race. Honestly, he didn't ride like a rookie today, even more so in Qatar where we know that the Ducati always plays a lot with the pace here. He rode like he had a lot of experience so I want to congratulate him on his race because he deserves this podium. »
Doha MotoGP Grand Prix standings:
Credit rankings and photo: MotoGP.com
