Challenging task for Fabio Quartararo at the MotoGP Catalan GP. The Monster Energy Yamaha rider finished 17th in qualifying in Barcelona, and in the sprint race, he secured a modest 18th place.
The French rider told journalists that he faced more difficulties than expected, with low grip being a limiting factor: ‘It was more difficult than I expected. Especially today, because last year’s Friday wasn’t easy also. I think last year we finished 11th on Friday. And I expected the grip to be better today. But this morning was not the case straightaway. We suffered a lot; the riding style I have, when the grip is low, is difficult. I have to be a little bit more smooth, and today on the start I just tried to brake a little bit too late. And I made a mistake and I was last. I made a mistake in the first lap, but it wouldn’t change anything in the result’.
Asked whether the sprint race was also a way to prepare the Sunday race, Quartararo denied: ‘No. We just tried to perform, we tried to find solutions to find a way to enjoy and to be riding more or less normally. But when the grip is low I always struggle more than Franco [Morbidelli] like Argentina. I also try to ride a little bit more smoothly. I think tomorrow morning will be good to go with the base and try to keep going, and try to be riding more or less smoothly’.