After a crash, Fabio Quartararo takes sixth on the grid in Austin – Ducati supremacy doesn’t worry him, but he doesn’t set a specific target
In qualifying for the US Grand Prix, Fabio Quartararo was the first to chase down the Ducati quintet on his Yamaha. The World Champion had a turbulent afternoon at the Circuit of The Americas as he crashed in his first run at turn 19.
“I did my best,” commented Quartararo on the crash, in which he was uninjured. “I knew that if I want to have a good race tomorrow, I have to attack 100 per cent. If it gets warmer, then it will be more difficult for us with the grip.”
“That’s why I had to go over the limit. But I am satisfied because I gave my best. There is nothing more to say because a crash can happen.” Quartararo hurried back to the pits and qualified sixth on his second M1.
He spoke of not having a flawless lap. His gap to Jorge Martin’s pole was six tenths of a second. In theory, a place on the second row of the grid is a good starting position. But Quartararo has five Ducatis in front of him.
The back straight at the Circuit of The Americas measures 1.2 kilometres. It will be difficult with the Yamaha against the Ducati supremacy. Enea Bastianini was measured at 349.5 km/h in qualifying. Quartararo came in at 336.4 km/h.
Is the starting position therefore a nightmare scenario? “Honestly, I don’t think so because they are already in front of me,” countered the Frenchman. “It doesn’t matter if it’s Suzuki, Honda or Ducati because all the bikes are super fast.”
“From my point of view, Bastianini has the strongest pace next to Marc [Marquez]. Martin and Bagnaia are not quite as strong, but they will all have good pace. We’ll have to wait and see what the tyre wear will be like, because we’re not that bad.”
Against the supposed Ducati supremacy, is a podium finish realistic, or will it be all about damage limitation for Quartararo to take home as many world championship points as possible? “I don’t have a specific goal. I want to have a good race and have fun,” said Quartararo.
“I have to try to have a good start. All weekend we had good starts. But here it’s different because it’s uphill. I need a great first lap and then I have to manage if I can improve.”
Quartararo was also by far the best Yamaha rider in Austin. Andrea Dovizioso qualified 15th and Franco Morbidelli 19th. Rookie Darryn Binder had a crash and finished last.
