MotoGP: Fabio Quartararo reveals he suffered from compartment syndrome at the Dutch Grand Prix

Eighth in the Dutch Grand Prix at Assen, Fabio Quartararo finished the race in pain. The Yamaha driver explained that he suffered from compartment syndrome in his right arm during the final laps. The driver from Nice has already been operated on multiple times to limit race pain.

The Dutch Grand Prix did not bring the expected result to Fabio Quartararo. Eighth at the finish at Assen, the Yamaha driver benefited from several retirements ahead of him to gain positions. The final laps were, however, particularly grueling.

Facing the media after the race, the driver from Nice explained that he was hindered by compartment syndrome in his right arm. The Assen track, known for being physically demanding, as well as the characteristics of the Yamaha accentuated the difficulties.

“I don’t feel very good at the moment with the bike, especially in the race, so I think we can be satisfied with what we accomplished. At least in the last ten laps, I suffered from compartment syndrome in my arm. Not on the left, but on the right. I have already had three surgeries, yes. But this circuit is really physical, and especially our bike, which has no grip and is very heavy… so I suffer a bit more.”

Compartment syndrome corresponds to an overpressure of the forearm muscles caused by intense effort. This condition reduces blood circulation, compresses nerves and causes pain, loss of strength and difficulty controlling the bike. Many MotoGP riders have already faced this problem and undergo surgical intervention.

Fabio Quartararo: “I knew I wasn’t going to do better than seventh”

Despite the pain, Fabio Quartararo held his position until the checkered flag.

“I managed to keep the best possible position, because Marc (Márquez) finishes seventh, I think, and he was ten seconds ahead. So I knew I wasn’t going to do better than seventh. Ten seconds was too much. Maybe I was two or three seconds faster, but not enough.”

The MotoGP World Championship will now continue in Germany, at the Sachsenring. Before this event, Fabio Quartararo is counting on recovering physically before the summer break.

“We’re going to rest, train well for the Sachsenring, we know it will be a very tricky track, because it’s a circuit with a lot of turns, but it will also be good to take a break (after).”