The championship leader on the eve of the Assen GP answered questions at the press conference together with fellow countryman Zarco: “At the moment as a rival I fear Johann di Bagnaia more. I won the championship last year, I don’t feel the pressure and Yamaha not me. puts it, I enjoy it ”
June 23, 2022
F.abio Quartararo it is in the best situation one can imagine. First in the standingsback from two consecutive victorieswith i rivals that stumble between falls (Bagnaia and Bastianini) and distractions (Aleix Espargaro): “It was an excellent first part of the season – said Fabio in the press conference on Thursday in Assen – in truth I complained a little too much at the beginning for the lack of top speed, on the other hand I could have done better. As a result of the arrival in Europe we have made some great results. We have the same points as last year at this point, we are on the right track “.
What has been your favorite moment so far?
“The victory in Portugal because I came from difficult races, but also Sachsenring because I never thought of winning and I must also add the Mugello race”
Only he and Johann Zarco are present at the conference, Aleix was supposed to be there too but he is late. Fabio what do you think of Johann and his season?
“We both didn’t start the season as well as in 2021 but we both improved since arriving in Europe, we shared many podiums. For me he is the most consistent rider among the Ducatisti, it would be great to be able to fight like the first part of last year for the championship, I don’t understand why you don’t go to the official team “
Rain was expected on the weekend …
“The weather forecast has changed, good weather is expected for Sunday, I have improved in the wet but Assen is a legendary circuit and I hope it will be dry for the race on Sunday”
S.Toprak Razgatlioglu tests with MotoGP at Aragon …
“He’s talented, you can see it from his riding style and I saw the nice save he made at Estoril. I think he has the potential to come to MotoGP, even if it’s different from Superbike. If he’s motivated I think he can be a rider. quick here too “
Quartararo was inducted into the Assen hall of fame…
“It was a moment of great pride, I consider Assen legendary, like Mugello, Philip Island, they are special tracks. Having my name on these roads is special”
On the possible introduction of sprint races to decide the places on the grid, as in Sbk …
“If you saw our face after the German GP … we were tired, so qualifying is fine as now”
And what about giving points for qualifying instead?
“Maybe it could be done, it’s an option. This format has been around for some time, the only thing that comes to mind is to reward the fastest lap with a point, as they do in F1, it could be fun. But for qualifying I think it’s different … “
A full house is expected in Assen (here the audience ranking of the top 10 GPs) what do you think?
“Last year there were 70,000 people at Silverstone and it was strange after two years of empty circuits. There were a lot of spectators in Germany too. In Jerez in 2020 my first two victories were exciting but sad because there wasn’t any. none. Seeing full house again here will be great “
QHow strong can Aleix Espargaro be here?
“You never know what to expect from Aleix but also last year he was fast here and so I think he will be fighting for the top. This year he has always been among the first, I expect you to fight for the podium “
You have the same points as last year in the tenth race, is it possible to make a comparison between the two seasons?
“Last year I had a better start but I don’t have to look to the past. This year, apart from Mandalika, I didn’t drive well in the first 4 races and I could have done better but from Portugal so far we have even improved from last year, second. myself”
You and Aleix get along very well, how do you fight on the track with a rider you have a good relationship with?
“For me it’s simple, when I put the helmet on, one is as good as the other, it could be my father too, it’s easy for me to go from being a good boy to a fighter when I take my helmet off “
C.How do you handle the pressure, do you get used to it?
“Honestly I haven’t felt the pressure for a long time, I won the championship last year and I’m having fun, Yamaha doesn’t put pressure on me and I don’t put it on. Of course there is concentration and pressure before the race and qualifying but I can manage it “
On the heat suffered at the Sachsenring in the race …
“While we were driving everything was ok, but half an hour later I felt the heat and I was lacking the air, the three of us from the podium went to the press conference in shorts and a T-shirt, it’s the first time this has happened and I think it was better to do so”
Do you consider more a rival for the Zarco or Bagnaia championship?
“Now I consider Joahnn more than Pecco to fight for the championship, but that’s not to say, 90 points behind are a lot but last year too Bagnaia recovered a lot and there are 250 up for grabs, and he knows how to be super fast”
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