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Maybe, just maybe Fabio Quartararo has had a weight removed from his shoulders. Losing the lead must certainly not have been easy for the reigning champion, but if we look at things from a different perspective it might also have 'freed' him from a yoke that was probably weighing him down too much.
The Frenchman must try to recover 14 points at Bagnaia and must do so on a track, Sepang, which certainly does not appear to be ideal for his Yamaha M1. But Fabio has already demonstrated that he can compensate for the limits of his bike with his immense talent, so writing him off before first free practice could be a huge mistake for all his rivals.
Without the pressure of having to think too much about the standings and points, we are certain that we will be able to see the true Quartararo from the beginning of the season. Only 'that' Fabio could have a decent chance of arriving at Valencia still fighting to confirm himself as champion.
"The last races I didn't enjoy so much – admitted Quartararo - but right now I'm in a position where I don't really need to think about anything. Just push myself to the limit. I think it's a different mentality, and I will of course make this GP in a different mood.”
Is the pressure gone now?
"I have the feeling I have nothing to lose right now in this moment. So, of course, I will approach the race, putting myself on the limit from the beginning of the weekend, trying to make some changes on the bike that in the end it's something that when we go to a new track we feel super-good on the track and we never touch anything. So now I think it's the moment that even if you feel good to make improvements in some areas. So, I think it's a different situation as the previous ones."
Do you think it's over for the title?
"Of course, it's not over. Pecco did it, we can do it. So, like I said, I think of course the second half of the season has been horrible. But we can make it turn around and try to really perform during these last two races."
Here are some straights that might create problems for your Yamaha.
"Also in 2019 there were the two straights which are quite long, but I really like this track and I enjoy riding here. I will do my best, I hope to be able to do a good qualifying which would be fundamental for us, then we will understand what it is we can do on Sunday. Usually I always manage to have an excellent pace in the race, but a lot depends on what we do on Saturday in qualifying. "
What would you like to ask Yamaha to have a margin in the future?
"I don't think I'll ever have a margin, but I hope to have better performance from the bike and I'm not just talking about the engine. There are several areas where we can and must improve the Yamaha and they know what we need. In the end we have been talking about it since the start of the season, and they have been working on it. Even in Misano things went well with the new engine. We need to understand if they will be able to take another step forward with the chassis as well. "
This year Franco Morbidelli's support has been missing, you found yourself alone against the Ducatis. Why is he in so much trouble in your opinion?
"In the end, we are all racing against the Ducatis, not just me. It's certainly difficult when you have them on the track. I don't know what to say about Franco, it's a difficult question to answer. The bike has certainly changed since 2019 and 2021 and he found himself on a different bike. But he had a year and a half to adapt, I don't have an answer. We are suffering in general this year, more than last year. But if I can do some excellent lap times, he can do it too. This is the important thing, I often help Franco in free practice but he is unable to make the step in qualifying and then in the race ".
