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Fabio Quartararo, world championship leader, has so far proven to be the only rider who knows how to handle his Yamaha, without ever hiding his frustration, especially when having to struggle with so many Ducatis (and now also Aprilias) on the track. The French rider knows that the bad luck he’s had, like in Assen, are a luxury that he can’t afford himself and, in the FP2, surrounded by Ducatis, he dictated his race pace, among the best in Friday’s free practice.
Judging by the race pace, it looks like the favorites for the race are you and Pecco. But you’re surrounded by Ducatis.
"My pace is actually good," Fabio said. "But then, you know, things during the race are always different and more complicated. The positive note is that we know we can be fast. Even Rins was really fast. Too bad he couldn’'t improve with the soft. We also had a little misunderstanding during the yellow flag. I mounted the tire at the wrong time, unfortunately, so I think we still have room for improvement before the race."
After the changes to the track, with that abrupt braking, is cutting new trajectories more difficult?
"You feel the biggest difference in braking. Sometimes it's really abrupt, so we'll also have to be careful with temperatures. In 2020, we struggled and, even in 2021, things could have been better. But, this year, it seems that things will be much better from that point of view.
So you're satisfied with the new layout of the circuit?
"In the first sector, we're second, so not bad. But, to be honest, I preferred the track before the changes. However, in the end, you end up preferring the layout that allows you to be faster. For us, this cut is better. It's a small segment that you ride in first. Shorter than what I first expected. When you ride the circuit, things seem much bigger than when you race on a bike.
According to Johann, the chicane helps Ducati, not Yamaha.
"It's the first time I'm among the top three in that sector. I'm pretty sure it's better for us," Fabio said jokingly.
How does it feel being surrounded by Ducatis? There are seven today in the top ten positions.
"The feeling is always the same. I always feel at the limit, with the pressure of not being able to make mistakes. Honestly, I struggle a lot, but the alternative is to complain, and that wouldn't lead to anything. So I prefer to stay focused by doing my best, hoping that the bike will take a big leap forward next year and give us a hand.
The news of the day is that, starting next year, you'll be racing a Sprint Race on Saturday, like in the SBK and Formula1.
"But is this true?" the French rider asked. "For me, the race takes place on Sunday. To be honest, we riders haven't been asked about it at all. I think that, with all the work we already do in view of the race on Sunday, this addition would complicate things a lot. I think this choice doesn't make sense. With twenty one Grand Prixs, there would be too many races. It's stupid," he concluded.
