To well-born souls, value does not wait for the number of years. The famous quote by Pierre Corneille sticks perfectly to the skin of Fabio Quartararo. A model of precocity, the 21-year-old from Nice will be the driver to follow during this short Moto GP season (13 races in 5 months) which begins this Sunday with the Spanish Grand Prix.
As of this Saturday, he has already shown his speed by obtaining pole position ahead of his Spanish rivals Maverick Vinales and six-time world champion Marc Marquez. Fifth in the 2019 World Championship after having passed several times very close to a Grand Prix victory, the Frenchman made a breakthrough entry into the elite of motorcycle speed. Author of six pole positions and seven podiums (five times second and twice third), he was crowned best rookie (beginner) and best independent pilot within the Yamaha-SRT satellite team. These results will lead him to replace Italian legend Valentino Rossi in the official Yamaha team from the 2021 Moto GP season.
"Fabio has an extraordinary talent and confirmed it last year," said former driver Christian Sarron, 3rd in the 500 cc world championship in 1985 and 1989, the best performance for a Frenchman in the queen category. He had a full season where he went fast on all circuits and without an official motorcycle. This year, we can think that he will get at least his first victory. "
He reigns over racing from an early age
The story of this hope of the French motorcycle begins in Nice. Etienne Quartararo, his father, was champion of France 125 cm3 in 1983. But he never pushed his children to ride two-wheelers. "I tried with my eldest son Anthony, but he didn't like it. He threw the bike away, telling me that he preferred to play football, tells the champion's dad. On the other hand, Fabio loved it and never left the handlebars. I immediately saw that he had a gift, even though then he had to work hard to get there. He's a winner. When we played cards or soccer, he always wanted to be in front. "
From 2006, his father entered him in Spanish races, because in France, to participate in competitions, you have to be 14 years old. Fabio wasted no time in confirming the hopes placed in him. In 2009, 2011 and 2012, he won the Spanish Championships in 70, 80 and then 125 cc. After two new Spanish speed champion titles in 2013 and 2014, the minot has a derogation to line up in Moto 3 (all pilots must be over 16 years old). An amendment made by the authorities to reward its precocity.
"Similarities with Kylian Mbappé"
“He was a pilot detected very early because he has an innate talent. Fabio had the courage to go to Spain at a very young age in the most serious championships, explains Eric de Seynes, the boss of Yamaha Motor Europe who recruited him in 2019. The 4 seasons lived in Moto 3 and 2 between 2015 and 2018 where he had difficulties (twice 13th and twice 10th) were necessary for his maturity. Last year, he exceeded expectations by retaining his talent and exploiting the acquired maturity. There are similarities with PSG striker Kylian Mbappé. Fabio has a freshness on the handlebars, no complex compared to his opponents and a humility outside the paddocks. "
With this first season accomplished in Moto GP, the Habs know they are expected and will have to confirm. “His dream was to become world champion in all categories. This was not the case, but when we are competing the objective is to find ourselves at the highest level, "says Etienne Quartararo. "Fabio has the potential to become world champion even if he has as competitor Marc Marquez, a motorcycle genius who is a step ahead, believes Christian Sarron. He is already a motorcycle star and he does not lack much to be a star of French sport. "