This Thursday, September 29, 2022, fabio quartararo answered questions from journalists from the Buriram circuit ahead of the Thai Grand Prix.
The French driver has slightly increased his lead in the championship but remains within direct reach of his two main rivals, Francis Bagnaia et Aleix Espargaró, on a track where he led the race in 2019 before being passed by Marc Márquez.
As usual, we report here the words of fabio quartararo without the slightest formatting, even if it is partially translated (vouvoiement for English, tutoiement for French).
How are you approaching this Thai Grand Prix, when you shone there in 2019 and you have an 18-point lead in the championship?
Fabio Quartararo:
« Japan was a bit of a frustrating race because I couldn't make any overtakes. Our pace was pretty good but we got really stuck. On this circuit, I think we can manage to get a very good result regardless, in the wet or in the dry. Of course, sectors 1 and 2 are going to be tough for us, but I'm ready to fight. »
Sectors 1 and 2 have straight lines but you were very strong in 2019: Where are you making up time?
« I can take time anywhere. I have to do it especially in braking where I think we are quite strong, especially with the new chassis in the dry. In the wet, we'll see. I think in Motegi I drove too aggressively and it didn't work. Especially in the wet you have to be very smooth and that wasn't our case. »
It seems that the sessions will take place in the wet and you won one in 2019…
«
I don't remember we had a session in the wet and I think it wasn't completely wet (at this point he is shown footage from Buriram 2019, with the track completely flooded). (Laughs) I mean of course we have to do our best to try to find our rhythm, like we did in Motegi. The first few laps were good but we didn't really do it in qualifying, so let's see how we manage that. »
Last race, you stayed in eighth position for 18 laps: What can you do to make overtaking easier?
« Well you know, there's nothing we can do. We have the same bike as at the start of the year, we were able to have different chassis late but it's not a big change, so in the end we can't do much. Next year will be more fun for us because we will have more engine performance and I think they are making another evolution, so we may have more facilities next year. »
We know there are more risks in the rain, but is it easier thanks to the good performance of Michelin tires in the wet?
«
I think the last race that was tricky was Motegi, because we got the red flag after Pol crashed. Some drivers left with new tires and others with worn tires. The difficulty was that we had a lot of slippage in the straight, so that was the dangerous part. And what is also dangerous in the end is above all aquaplaning and also when you are behind: During testing you are all alone, but when you are behind many drivers it is a dangerous period where you don't see anything. But I saw the track today and it was raining like it rained yesterday, all the time, and when the rain stops for an hour the track is almost dry, so I think it won't be a big problem here. »
Arón Canet said several teams turned him down because of his tattoos. What do you think ?
« I do not know what to say. Of course he has a lot of tattoos but I can also understand the teams. I know how important it is to not have tattoos for certain brands. Some people don't care, but I can also understand these few brands. It's sad because at the end of the day he's a really strong rider, so let's hope that when he's ready to move up to MotoGP he'll find someone. »
