This Saturday February 12, 2022, Fabio Quartararo answered journalists' questions from the Mandalika circuit in Indonesia, following the second of three days of IRTA testing on this new circuit located on the island of Lombok.
We went to listen (via teleconferencing software) to the words of the French pilot who, like the others, was able to benefit from more favorable track conditions today…
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).
You had another good time today. What is the reason and what will be your strategy tomorrow?
Fabio Quartararo: « Let's say that today I feel like I drove very well. With the new tires I wasn't great, but I was really fast with the worn tires, and I'm very happy with that. Yes, I missed a little something during the time attack, so I think we will have to improve that tomorrow. We will see how we can progress, but of course the conditions were much better than yesterday. »
We know that the Yamahas are always good during testing, but are you now focusing mainly on qualifying, since it will be very important this season compared to the lack of power in your engine?
« Yes it's sure. At the moment I'm not feeling so great about qualifying so that's what we have to work on since for the pace I can be super super fast with the worn tires. With a new tire is on a lap, I'm missing something compared to last year, so that's the biggest difference and I need to improve in that area. »
There are apparently six Ducatis that can fight for the front row. Is this a concern?
« Yes of course. When you know there will be eight Ducatis, eight of the fastest bikes, it will be difficult, but I knew that and what can I do? I will do my best and we will see what happens next year, but my point is to make the Yamaha and myself better and to always try to fight for the top. »
How do you evaluate your pace today, compared to those of Pecco, Marc and Joan who appeared very fast?
« I think we are really strong. At one point in the day we were very slow because we had put the soft tire on the front and it was 55°. So we were very slow but when we put the racing tire on this afternoon I had a very good pace even with the worn tire. Tomorrow we will see our real pace because we will start by doing a kind of race simulation, or let's say a long run: I won't do 27 laps but I think something between 16 and 20 laps. We will see our real pace and I think it is very fast. But we'll see. I'm very happy with my pace and I think what I'm missing in qualifying and the difference between the worn tire and the new tire is much less than before. It's quite difficult and I don't understand why the difference is so small. »
You made four test days and only one remains: do you think that if the race was next week, the Yamaha could fight for victory and for the title? And what is still missing from the Yamaha to make you comfortable?
« To be honest, what's missing is really big (laughs)! But to be honest, if I concentrate too much on that, my mind will no longer be the same: I go for the maximum, and if the bike is not enough, I can't do anything about it, I'm not an engineer , so in the end I have to push myself to the limit and see what I can do to really fight for the title and the victories. It is the most important ! To be honest, we haven't made the step forward that I expected. »
So you expected more power and top speed from Yamaha?
« What we have for the season. I mean, maybe we can figure something out, but that's our standard. Last year we had an average deficit of 9 km/h, and today we have 9 km/h, so we have made no progress. It's like that and I think I shouldn't think too much about that, but just about my riding and trying to fight for the best. »
Can you tell us which bike you ride: are you still comparing with the 2021 or are you only riding the 2022, and, if so, are you thinking about coming back? on 2021?
« No, we're riding with the new bike, but honestly it's difficult to say because already at the end of the 2021 season I was already struggling to make the front lines again and even to set very fast times. Honestly, I don't know what's going on because already I can't do a really perfect lap, so that's a problem coming from me that I have to improve. Afterwards, we have to see why we can't really do what we did last year at the start of the season, and especially in 2019 where really, when I went out, I knew what I was going to do and I really felt this new tire and I could really go to the limit. That's what I'm missing today, is that I don't really know where I am on the bike with a new tire. »
Mandalika MotoGP Test Ranking Saturday:
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
