This weekend, for the penultimate MotoGP event of the season, the riders were in Qatar. While the battle rages at the front for the world title, Fabio Quartararo continues to struggle with his machine.
Looking forward to next year. At least, we hope so… But for now, there is a season to finish for the rider from Nice. Once again eliminated in Q2, Fabio Quartararo couldn’t do better than 14th place in the qualifying session.
After a disastrous start, the Frenchman found himself in 18th position. He took advantage of a fall ahead of him to regain his starting position. Battling in the middle of the pack, the rider from Marseille managed to climb back lap by lap in a small group fighting for points.
With a pace equivalent to that of the leaders, “El Diablo” can harbor some regrets. Especially since the Yamaha seems faster in terms of top speed. For instance, his overtake of Johann Zarco’s Ducati earned him the eighth position point at the end of the sprint race.
At the finish line, the feeling was quite mixed. “It’s a shame that we had such an average start. Honestly, afterward, my pace was good all weekend. I managed to overtake motorcycles on the straight line for the first time in my life, so that really pleased me! Tomorrow I wouldn’t say we can fight for the podium, but I think there are possibilities.”
A great race management
For Sunday’s long race, the goal was clear for the rider from Nice: “Get a good start and have a good first lap” to aim for a big result. A flawless start allowed him to complete the first lap in 11th place. After managing his pace in the initial laps, Fabio Quartararo managed to find an opening against Marco Bezzecchi. Slightly detached from the group fighting for 6th place, the Frenchman gradually managed to close the gap. This proves that the development work done on the Yamaha at the end of the season is bearing fruit. After a very decisive overtake, like the day before, on his compatriot, the Azuréen attacked Jorge Martin, whom he easily overtook shortly after mid-race.
With a clear track ahead, Yamaha’s No. 20 rider managed to catch up to the group contesting for the podium. Half a second faster per lap, the rider from Nice closed in on Alex Marquez for the 6th position. During the battle in the last two laps, he couldn’t make an overtaking attempt.
A seventh place then, and above all, the confirmation that the Yamaha raced by Fabio Quartararo has great potential. What’s left is to find a better qualifying pace to once again reach the peaks of MotoGP!
Next weekend, it’s the final Grand Prix of the season in Valencia, before important private tests in preparation for next year.
