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The Yamaha rider’s first impact with the Thai circuit in Buriram was good. Fabio scored the second best time in the FP1 behind a reborn Marc Marquez, but then failed to improve during the FP2. This combination gave him a fifth place in the ranking, dominated by a threatening triple Ducati: Zarco, Bagnaia, and Martin, while the Ducati wall with eight bikes continues to prove to be a difficult obstacle with which the French rider will have to deal if he wants to grab the title. With eighteen points ahead in the standings and four races left, there's no room for errors, and Fabio will have to deal with it alone and without backup.
“The first day of free practice went well overall,” the French rider said. “In the morning, I was immediately at ease. Unfortunately, in the second session, I got two yellow flags during the time attack, and then I also made a mistake on the last lap. I think my race pace is good. I felt very good with the medium compound on the rear and a worn tire on the front. The traction was good.”
You seemed comfortable on the bike today. Does Friday make you hope for a good result on Sunday, or do you think the level will go up again?
“Actually, the sensations with the bike weren’t the best. I was always at the limit, so it’s difficult to make predictions. We also have to consider the weather. The conditions are constantly changing, and it doesn’t promise well. But I think that, without that mistake and those yellow flags today, we would have definitely ended up in the top five.”
We saw the Ducatis really push themselves to the limit today, often riding close to each other. Do you think there’s hope for your Yamaha?
“With eight bikes, they can afford to work with different set-ups and even be strategic, cross-referencing the data later. It’ll be difficult for us to be strategic. I think I’ll have to find a solution during the race.”
During the conference, you showed up with glasses. An unusual look.
“I’m slightly myopic, so you might see me wearing them sometimes, but I have no problem riding. I can see really well during the race.”
Have you seen the calendar for 2023? Aragon isn’t on it.
“That’s very good news. I hope we never go back there!” Fabio said jokingly, since most of his memories on that track have been negative, even recently. “What’s too bad is that, with next year’s new engine, maybe it wouldn’t have been so bad. It’ll certainly be a challenging year,” Quartararo concluded.
