The fall in Valencia was harder for Fabio Quartararo. And we're not talking about his fall on the ninth lap of the Grand Prix. It is about the fact that he will not be World Champion this year, while seeing a rider who arrived at the same time as him in the category, crowned on a Suzuki. A former Moto3 teammate, during a 2017 season where Joan Mir was also titled. If that were all it was, it would still be fine. But there is also the Yamaha…
fabio quartararo put his lofty ambitions at half-mast during a Valencia Grand Prix which, when you think about it, bursts the abscess of an illness already diagnosed a few Grands Prix ago. Since Barcelona, the Frenchman has entered a negative spiral, until he was joined and now overtaken by his teammate Franco Morbidelli, today a triple winner like him and second in a championship where he regressed to fifth place.
fabio quartararo comments: “ it was a difficult weekend. I do not know what to say. Since the race at Le Mans, I have lost all feeling on the bike. We need to find a way to start again. We've only been competitive this season at Jerez and Barcelona, but we've had problems at too many other tracks ».
However, the year began with a bang with two victories at Jerez. Then there was Barcelona. Quarterly has long been considered the legitimate successor of Marc Márquez. He himself says in retrospect: “ During lockdown, I trained harder than ever. Then I obviously adapted to the rhythm more quickly than the other drivers ».
But the wheel ended up turning: “ we no longer fight for victory, but only for places ten to twelve. It's frustrating and totally incomprehensible. », Regrets the tricolor, for whom the race could have ended after two turns. He braked late and almost hit Maverick Vinales. “ But I already had a strange feeling at the start and on the 9th lap it was over ", said Quarterly.
“We will meet Yamaha for a meeting and try to find solutions”
« We have been here in Valencia for two weeks and we have not improved. No change to the bike made any difference ". Meanwhile, his teammate Morbidely evolved on another planet: “ It's not frustrating for me. But I think it is for Yamaha. You expect a new motorcycle to perform better or at least as well. Previous year's pattern is much more consistent » snaps the Petronas pilot.
However, Quarterly also admits that Morbidely improved. He specifies : " Franco is now faster and has taken a step forward. This is shown by his victories and his podiums. He deserved it. On the other hand, I have to work harder because despite my three victories, I am not happy with the season ».
Quarterly still has a chance to say a positive farewell to Petronas SRT, before joining the factory team Yamaha . But first, there is still a need for discussion. “ We will meet Yamaha for a meeting and try to find solutions », Warns the 21-year-old pilot.
MotoGP Valencia-2 J3: classification
