After a frustrating 2023 MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix, fabio quartararo put his work back on the table the next day, during the day of test on the same Jerez circuit.
And the French driver, always involved and 100% motivated, spared no effort, completing 88 laps, the distance of more than three GPs!
As he has already explained several times, his pace, when he rides alone, is among the best, and this was seen again this Monday since he held the lead for a long time, before being overtaken by the two drivers of the VR46 in the last hour of testing, when he had just finished his test.
As usual, we report his words here without the slightest formatting, even if it is translated from English.
Fabio, do you look happier than yesterday, or is it the same?
fabio quartararo : " A little happier. Let's say that we particularly worked on new tires with little fuel and in very hot conditions. We did the clock quite early, with over 50 degrees on the ground, and we wanted to check the difference. So I was able to do a good time compared to the race weekend and that's positive, but even during the race weekend the pace was really fast, alone. »
Have you tried a new exhaust and a new aero?
« Yes, the sound is totally different, even on the bike. You know, when you lean to the right, you hear the bike a lot more than when you're in a straight line. We wanted to see if there was more top speed. But on this circuit, you know, it depends a lot on the last corner or turn 5 how… »
It's more how you exit the corner that...
« Exactly. We tried different fins, but they were really similar and, for me, a little worse, so we won't update them in the future. We tried a new chassis. Let's say it was difficult to get feedback. The feedback was very good, it was not worse, but when you do these steps in the chassis, maybe it works better here, but in the future it is worse. So I think at Le Mans we will make comparisons and see how it goes. »
When you did the sequence of very fast laps at midday, with the soft tire, how many laps before it was worn out?
« It depends, because I also did a lot of laps with a worn medium in small 37, 37 medium, so it was really good, you know, and the pace, like I said, is super fast, but a quick turn is missing. And what I have a problem with is that when I'm told to speed up the pace, I'm like this, and when I'm told to speed up the time, I'm like this: whatever the tire, old, new or whatever, I'm always at the limit. This is why I struggle to get a better lap time compared to the pace. I hope we can find a solution to this problem. »
How was the radio communication system you tested? How was the noise?
Could you hear everything if there is a red flag?
« In fact, it was non-stop: There were 3 laps with “red flag, red flag, red flag”! So it was good and I think if they are able to use it in a good way, it can be good, it can be safe. But I think we don't need to have a lot of people talking about it. It must really be in an emergency because, of course, it was difficult, because when you're driving and you hear something...
The first lap, it was a little strange because you're a little bit, you know, you turn and you hear "red flag", it's strange. But of course, for safety we can use it, and yes, especially in case of a red flag or a motorcycle in the middle of the track, I think it can be useful. »
Would it be better on the dashboard, because Joan said you already have a lot of information in that form?
« Yes, we never look at the dashboard! Even when you change gears, now I don't even look at the lights. You know where you have to change, and at the end it's difficult to read what's on the dashboard, especially on this track which is really small. It's difficult, so I think it's good to have that but, I think, only in really important cases. »
Are these the only two cases: Red flag and motorcycle on the track?
« Yeah, I think it's both things because, like I said, a Long Lap, I think it's pretty easy because you can see the box board here, you can see your scoreboard . But I think for the case of the red flag and the oil on the track, something about the danger, you know, is good. But no team discussion, nothing. I think it's just a safety issue. »
Does this cause extra weight? Because I guess there was a receiver...
« It was really small and, you know, the thing you put in wasn't in the ear, it was right there, so you could hear a lot and it was small, like something like that. So the weight was 100 grams? And, 3 grams. But it was uncomfortable, you know. So they had to work on a system and, you know, I had to put the earpiece in and then put the head band in, to make it stable, so it was a prototype and I think it was good for the first time we tried it. »
You know, who builds it, the prototype?
« That's the last of my problems (laughs). »
Fabio, I'm sorry. It's a question because I'm not in this paddock, but I always talk to people outside. People outside say “when Fabio wants, Fabio can”, so it's not the bike, it's Fabio. What do you have to say about this? Is it true ? Isn't that true?
« I would like to meet these people (laughs) Because if Fabio wants… He wants, but he can't, because, as I said, we have several difficulties that we have to resolve and the two are: One is l attack against the clock and one is to follow the others. The speed, we have it, we showed it again: Today on the pace, we are fast, but we clearly have problems, so these people are wrong. »
To be continued…
MotoGP test results in Jerez:
Ranking credits: MotoGP.com
