Author of a weekend that was as promising as it was enjoyable, Fabio Quartararo allowed Yamaha to confirm its recent progress in Malaysia. The Iwata factory, which was notably testing a new engine and new electronic configurations this weekend, managed to give weapons to its two drivers at Sepang.
The Frenchman and his teammate, Alex Rins, were both able to qualify in the top-10. A result which greatly facilitated the drivers' task before the grueling race which awaited them on Sunday.
However, things quickly became complicated for the No. 20, involved in an accident with the two official KTMs at the start of the Grand Prix. A chilling incident, which left Jack Miller injured in the middle of the track. The Australian without nevertheless emerged unscathed, almost miraculously.
One more handicap for Quartararo
The race was interrupted, and once reassured about the condition of the Australian, who despite everything came to hit his helmet against the rear wheel of the Yamaha in the middle of the race, Fabio had a new opportunity to defend his eighth place on the starting grid. However, he had to take off with the second motorcycle, which was strictly less well equipped than the first, at least from the point of view of the tires.
“I have no idea what happened during the first lap crash. We got hit with Brad Binder, I stole, and then I don't really remember what happened, confides Quartararo. I don't think this is a mistake. In a slow turn and change of direction, it's really easy to touch yourself. These things can happen. »
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For the second start I had to take my second bike, and we were out of tires, so I started with tires from yesterday from qualifying, which I didn't really like. Unfortunately, I couldn't catch up with the drivers in front of me. But I think it was a really positive race weekend for us, overall. We had a great qualifying, a great sprint and a great race. I think we're going in the right direction, and I hope we can take a step in the last round.” adds the tricolor pilot.
A regular sixth place
Fabio Quartararo nevertheless achieved a good sixth place. A result which was not achieved thanks to multiple falls at the front, as may have been the case previously, during the arrivals of the 2021 world champion in the top-10 with Yamaha this year.
“It’s difficult to pick up the drivers we have in front, recalls Quartararo on the evening of the Malaysian GP, satisfied with the work accomplished. It can be seen that the performance of their motorcycle is much better than ours. I think it was ten seconds faster than last year and nothing changed on the track.
We were not using the engine that we should use and which can make the difference in the race, he continues. We had a pretty good race while suffering a little in the straight. Generally, it's better in racing. We have made great progress with electronics in a short time. Now we have more ability to look behind the scenes at what others are doing. »
