Appetite comes with eating. Three weeks ago, Fabio Quartararo never would have dared to publicly mention the possibility of being crowned MotoGP world champion. On the one hand because it did not fit with his personality, ambitious, of course, but also, and above all, realistic. Also because he had simply never won a Grand Prix in the premier class before. Before running, the youngster (21) first wanted to learn to walk properly. Which was to his credit. Except that in one week and two successes in Jerez, on July 19 and 26, Quartararo took on a whole new dimension. Unknown to the general public in France, he began to make a name for himself, still complicated to pronounce for some. Thanks to him, the bike begins to roar in France again after (long) years of lean cows.
"I think I have matured"
Fabio QuartararoThus, just after his imperial success in the second race in Andalusia, the Frenchman released at the microphone of Canal + what all his fans wanted to hear. Namely, yes, he was playing the world title well now. "I think that I have matured, I have totally changed my way of working compared to last year", he explained to justify such an ambition. For the past fortnight, however, Quartararo has had time to take a step back and further qualify his remarks in Brno, Czech Republic, the scene of the third round of the World Championship this Sunday (2 p.m., Canal +). “At the moment, I feel that we have the potential to fight for the podium or the victory, and I just want to continue like this and not think about the championship. I've never been in this situation, but I think that thinking about the title when it's only race three is not the right way to go. It was also a way for him to relieve the pressure and keep his feet on the ground.
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No need, in fact, to ignite too soon. Even having filled up on points in two races - 50 out of 50 - and widened a substantial gap on the defending champion, Marc Marquez. The latter, six-time world champion in the premier class, saw a painful start to the season after his fractured right humerus during the first grand prix, which forced him to give up taking the start the following week - despite a heroic attempt to participate in free practice - and again this weekend. Either a dotted zero which almost condemns him to abandon his throne. For the benefit of Quartararo? The Frenchman knows his fragile position. “Anyone can get injured in this race or the next. So, for me, the championship is the same whether Marc is there or not. I just have to work the same way and focus on what I can do. "
Psychological impact
The Nice driver is eager to confirm that his excellent disposition at Jerez is not only due to his love of the Andalusian circuit, but that he can shine, and win, everywhere. “It's true that Jerez is a track that suits us perfectly, but I think my Yamaha can perform well on all circuits,” he confided. It might lack a bit of power, but you can't have it all, and it compensates very well in the corners. If he wins on Sunday, Quartararo will become the first driver for the Japanese marque to win the first three races of a season since 1980 and a certain Kenny Roberts, on his way to his third world title. A fine example to follow for the Frenchman, who however remains under direct threat from the Spaniard Maverick Vinales, who each time finished second in Jerez and who is therefore only 10 points behind in the championship. But a third consecutive success could mark his opponents psychologically, especially with a 2020 financial year shortened to 13 events due to the health crisis. So even if the season is just getting started, Quartararo knows that in Brno he has a golden opportunity to consolidate his new status.
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