End clap for the Jerez tests, which took place this Thursday and Friday. All crowned with his title of World Champion, Fabio Quartararo finished the day in second place.
We went to listen (via teleconferencing software) to the words of the French pilot, whose honorable ranking was not enough to erase a certain disappointment given the gap which separates him from the fastest pilot, the resident of Yamaha having finished almost half a second behind Pecco Bagnaia.
As usual, we report here the words of Fabio Quartararo without the slightest formatting, even if it is partially translated (vouvoiement in English, tutoiement in French).
Fabio, Pecco Bagnaia said that the Ducati was a perfect bike, but that he still managed to find gains on it. Is this something that worries you given the Yamaha's modest progress so far?
« I wouldn't say I'm particularly worried. It's true that the Ducatis seem very fast, and for our part we haven't really progressed. So I hope that in Sepang we can take a step forward, because here we tried a lot of things and I didn't really feel any improvement. »
“We tried a lot of things but I didn’t feel any improvement”
We saw you on the track with a new fairing. Did this bring you any gain?
« The new fairing doesn't do much for us to be honest. We don't really feel the benefits. You have to delve into the data to get an idea, because it's difficult to say outright. »
Cal Crutchlow worked a lot to prepare for these essays. To what extent is his contribution perceptible in the progress of your project?
« I think having Cal in our testing team is a great thing, because of course he tries a lot of stuff and he's also fast. He helps us a lot in that sense. »
You used a different chassis than yesterday. Can you tell us what differences you felt? What do you expect from him?
« We actually used a new chassis today, but again I didn't feel any improvement. We are looking for a little more grip at the rear, something we clearly didn't find today. There is not much positive to say at the end of this day. »
Pecco Bagnaia said he was heading into the winter break even happier than if he had won the title this season. What about your side? Do you end 2021 with the satisfaction of having won the title, or with the worry of seeing the Ducati win next year?
« I return home with the status of World Champion. I'm not worried at all, because I know Yamaha will work a lot. These tests did not go as we expected. I think everyone in the team will go on vacation with a light heart, except perhaps the Japanese engineers who know they will have to work a lot! No, I'm really happy, I'm going to see my family tonight, so I'm happy. »
The Jerez circuit does not have any long straights. So where do you think Ducati manages to take the advantage?
« It's a bit strange because the speed difference at Mugello between the Ducati and the Yamaha is around 10 km/h, and here today it was the same gap. I admit I don't really understand, except that the aerodynamics they have on their bike are quite unusual. I think we need to work more in this area, in order to benefit from more support to counter the wheelie. »
« This is really the most important thing in my opinion. I also think that we should no longer consider the Ducati as simply a big bike capable of going fast. There is also a good combination between the machine and its driver. This association makes everything very strong, and for our part we must progress in many areas. »
“We need to work more on aerodynamics”
Can you give us a list of what you need for next season?
« If I make this list we'll be gone for three quarters of an hour (laughs)… So we'll try to keep it short. Compared to the 2021 bike, I need more power, more aerodynamic load, as well as more grip. In this order. »
