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Fabio Quartararo's absence from the first position on the grid lasted 12 Grands Prix. The last time was at Barcelona last year, a pole position that had wrapped up a series of 5 consecutive. Before today, he had even missed out on the front row for the last 4 GPs, a strange result for a rider who has always had one of his strong points in the flying lap.
"Finally I was fast in qualifying, it hadn't happened for a long time - he said after hitting the target at Mandalika - On this track I immediately felt good, right from FP2 when I mounted the soft tyre for the first time. Above all, however, I am happy with my pace in FP4, I did 15 laps in a row because it was important to understand the grip of the tyres and I must admit that I was expecting a more marked drop from the soft at the rear. Maybe tomorrow, in the warm up, I will also try the medium".
Fabio seems to have everything under control, but he doesn't want to claim victory too soon.
"It is difficult to know what will happen in the race - he underlined - The track is new for everyone, I will try to give my best, but for sure my potential is better than what I had in Qatar, I will fight for the podium or the victory".
Starting in front of everyone is essential for him, who rides a Yamaha that suffers a lot when he is caught up in the group.
"We know that with the M1 it is not easy to overtake, even more so on this track, and in this heat, in addition, the risk is that being behind someone will raise the temperature of the front tyre - he observed - I would say that it is a good circuit to start in front ".
The important thing is that the Yamaha perform at its best, especially when some rivals have instead had a nasty surprise with the tyres (with a stiffer casing) brought for the race.
"I also preferred those from the tests, they were better performing and more consistent - explained Fabio - With these you feel less at the limit, but they slide more, in the end the difference is small. I also expected better from the Hondas, they had been fast in the tests, but it seems that these tyres limit them, as is the case with Mir. However, in the end you have to focus on yourself, not on the others”.
Also because Quartararo is clearly the favourite on the eve of the race and his only enemy could be the weather.
"Logically, I would prefer a dry race, but in any case I made a few steps forward even in humid and wet track conditions – he assured – Last year we already made some big changes to the bike in this sense. I can't control the weather, so I'll have to do my best anyway ”.
