This Thursday, November 3, 2022, fabio quartararo answered questions from the site MotoGP.com then journalists from the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia as a prelude to the Valencian Community Grand Prix.
Now 23 points behind Francesco Bagnaia, the Frenchman must face an almost impossible mission to double his world title…
As usual, we report his words here without the slightest formatting, even if it is translated from English.
Fabio, of course you want to win every race you enter, but you have to win this one! But do you feel more relaxed because all the pressure is now on Pecco?
Fabio Quartararo : “Well, the goal is clear: I only have one goal in mind and clearly nothing to lose, so, of course, I will do my best to fight to achieve it and fight for victory . Of course, it's not the best situation to fight for the title, but it's a good situation to not pay attention to anything: Whatever happens, it will have been a tough but good season, so here we go go all out! »
It's not a very easy circuit to overtake and the Ducatis were very strong last year: Will grid position be crucial?
" Yes ! Last year we had a big problem with the front tire, and this year we have a harder notch, so that will be a big help for us, and you know how very important it is for us. So I'm very confident. »
You broke your finger in Sepang and you will have surgery next week…
" Yes. It's not very painful but I feel a little pain while riding. Even in Malaysia it wasn't a big problem because I had painkillers. It wasn't a problem and it certainly will be even less of a problem here. I will have an operation this winter, just to have a normal finger, because it is quite strange (laughs). »
How will you look back on your season on Sunday evening and what will you do to be even stronger next year?
“You know, before we started the season we had some bad news regarding the bike. The start of the season wasn't very good, and let's just say I complained a lot because after all this time spent finding something on the engine, we found nothing. So I wasn't completely focused like I should have been. Then I had a really, really good first half of the season, and in the second half I think we stayed at the same level and a lot of drivers and manufacturers took a big step forward. And we stayed a bit like at the start of the championship, then we made a few mistakes. But I think overall you learn when you have a tough season. So I think it wasn't the best, but it wasn't that bad, since we were still fighting for the championship in the last race. A lot of experience was taken away from this season, and that will be great for the future. »
Can you say a few words about Francesco Bagnaia?
“We always say that the Ducatis are strong, but he is always the one in front, so of course he is a top rider and it is really good to arrive here with him for the last race. So let's have the last big fight of 2022 and have fun on Sunday night (laughs). »
In Malaysia, you said that you spoke with certain people because you had put too much pressure on yourself and that you no longer enjoyed driving. Can you say who they are and have you had a chance to speak to Lewis Hamilton?
“I spent a lot of time with his friends and talked to Jake Dixon a lot. It's true that sometimes I always want to attack very hard and that makes me make certain mistakes. I'm not really in the position I wanted and we also had some difficult moments on the bike on certain circuits, which meant that in the end I wasn't really having fun on the bike. I want to have fun, which is the most interesting thing: When you're on the bike, you're here to have fun!
And no, for Lewis. I haven't particularly spoken to him since Mugello where we spent a day together. But I don't particularly talk to him. »
The 2022 season included 20 races: How are you feeling physically and mentally, and how do you anticipate the 2023 season with 21 GPs and 42 races?
" It's long ! It starts in March until November, and next year there will also be Sprint races. It may be the same mileage as FP4s, but it's completely different starting an FP4 or a race! Because in the end, you score points: it's half the points but you take more risks and you have more pressure, because you always have pressure during a start. So it will be hard, hard mentally and physically, but that's how it is and it's the same for everyone. »
In your situation, what is more important: Sunday's race or Tuesday's test?
“(Laughs) Of course, I'm really looking forward to Tuesday, because I've heard some good news, but the priority is Sunday. Of course, enjoying this race will be very important, so my priority will be Friday, Saturday and Sunday. »
Do you remember the very first time you beat each other on a motorcycle?
“With Pecco, we've known each other for even longer (than 2015), but he was always in a higher category than me. As he said, the first time was in 2015 in Qatar: It was my first race and I was like crazy (smiles)! Then we fought all the time. In Moto2, he was much faster than me and I was much further back, but I hope that this weekend we will also have a good one! »
Fabio, you led the championship from Portugal, and at one point you were 91 points ahead of Pecco: When did you consider him your main opponent?
“Pretty early in the season, I think. Even when we were before or after Silverstone, Aleix (Espargaró) was a lot closer to me, but you could clearly see that he was going very fast, and I knew that he was the one who was really going to fight for the championship. Of course, I tried to do my best (laughs) but, like I said, sometimes I tried to push too hard and made mistakes. But I think it was pretty early in the season. »
Do you see a quality or strong point in your opponent that you would like to have?
" Speed ! Generally speaking, the speed Pecco had throughout the year, and of course especially during the second half. But speed and ease, because it seems very easy for him: Even in qualifying or in the race, he has this potential which means that when you watch him on television, he appears much slower even though he is very fast. So I think his quality of being so quick in every situation is a quality that I would also like to have. »
