On this Thursday March 11, 2021, fabio quartararo answered questions from journalists from the Losail circuit in Qatar, at the end of the second day of the second official MotoGP test on his Yamaha YZR-M1 from the Monster Energy Yamaha team.
We went to listen (via teleconferencing software) to the words of the French pilot.
As usual, we report here the words of Fabio Quartararo without the slightest formatting, even if the first part is translated from English (vouvoiement).
fabio quartararo : " Honestly, today we tried a lot of things that I didn't really like, but we looked at it with the team and my pace seems good. Even when we tried something that didn't work, I lapsed with used tires of roughly 54. So, frankly, I wasn't very satisfied with this day, but seeing my pace I think we can be happy. Each time I feel more confident with the 2021 chassis, but today we tested a lot of things. No new things on the bike, but some settings that we had to test for the future, and it was very good. »
Today we find three Yamahas in the lead. Did you work together or alone?
« No, all alone. I was all alone. I followed a few other drivers but nothing really special: Today, most of the time I drove alone. »
From what you see here in Qatar, how do you think the Yamaha will perform at other circuits like Jerez?
« I think it will of course be different because even the current rainy conditions are completely different from the conditions we will have for the other races. The grip we have here is unreal, with all the rubber we have on the track, but I think we won't have that grip for the race. In my comments the bike is also very good because I think the track has a lot of grip. So I think we will struggle, not in Jerez but in Portimão and on the tracks where the grip is low, because it is not usual to see three Yamahas in front. Yes, in testing we know we are always fast, we are fast over a lap, but in the last two years we have been overconfident because of testing and I think now it is better not to packing before shopping: Be prepared for not being very happy and then lost. So I want to stay in a happy medium, being happy and trying to improve each time. »
We are on the fourth day of testing. Have you been able to speak to Cal and do you think this feedback will be helpful to you throughout the year?
« Yes, I talked to Cal a little. Not yet today but, above all, everyone knows that he is an intelligent and direct boy. This is a very positive point because if the bike is bad, he will say it directly, and if it is good, he will say it directly too. I think we need someone like that as a test rider, and he's fast even though it's been a while since he's been on a Yamaha. He didn't do many laps in the first test and now he's trying to do more, and I'm very happy that Cal is in the team. For my part, I'm pushing a lot so that there are as many tests as possible with Cal. »
A lot of wind is forecast for the last day in Qatar…
« Yes, I heard that and everyone says it will be very windy. My plan is to do a simulated race. We will see. Anyway, as I said before, the conditions we have for the test are completely different from the conditions we will have during the race weekend. We will see what conditions we will have, but we know that during the night, normally, it calms down. We will see ! We don't work on weather (laughs) so my plan is to do simulated racing tomorrow. »
You said you tried a lot of things today. Do you have a clear direction on the bike you are developing?
« Yes, I have clear direction! Today we had a bike that I almost did my fastest lap with on old tires. I did my best time with 15 laps on the tire, which is a lot. I know the direction (that we are following) and I know which bike I will use from FP1 on Friday. We still have one day left but in any case we have this base which is working very well. »
Did you set the bike for the feeling or for the time?
« Even if the feeling is not extraordinary, but the times are fast, it is the times that speak. But not a lap time, the pace! So we did some different good things pace-wise, and even when we tried things that weren't so clear, I was fast. But when we had things that worked, I was immediately more comfortable and faster, so we know how to go fast when the track is grippy. Now we will see during the race if we can get good grip, but at the moment we have a clear idea regarding the settings for the race weekend. »
May we know what you tested today?
« Today, it was just adjustments to the fork, suspension, fork springs, but it wasn't really things that were super clear, so there are positives, but there were negatives Also. So quite difficult. »
How do you feel physically?
« Honestly, I feel very, very good. Physically I didn't expect to be so strong, because normally I always have a little pain after so many days of testing, but I feel in great shape. In the morning, I even manage to squeeze in a workout. This morning I did an hour of cycling, yesterday I did an hour of running. So I really manage to have top condition. »
Credit ranking: MotoGP.com
