Quartararo, already on conquered ground in Jerez? 

Only eight points separate the top four in the provisional world championship standings... a first since the current points system came into force in 1993. 

For now, it is fabio quartararo who leads the dance, tied with Alex Rins thanks to his victory a few days ago in Portimão. “It was an important moment for us,” explains Quartararo of the last meeting in Portugal. We didn't have much time in the dry, but we know that our base was similar to last year and from the start I was able to be fast, especially in the race. A 39.4 in third was pretty big. Of course, fighting for victory after a difficult start to the season is always good, even more so when there are two races in a row. And we arrive at one of my favorite circuits. »

Precisely, this weekend, the Frenchman is going to Jerez, a track on which he has won the last four pole positions and two victories, including his very first in the premier category on July 19, 2020, the date tattooed on his arm right. 

It is also this same right arm that made him suffer last year. While he seemed destined for a third success in a row at Jerez… he fell down the rankings in the final laps due to a problem with compartment syndrome. “I arrive much more prepared,” confides the Frenchman. The procedure I underwent last year is perfect. Of course I feel we can be very fast, but we have to work like a normal weekend. We have the potential to fight for victory, but we have to take it step by step. First Friday, then see our speed. »

Still no news for 2023

On the sidelines of this sixth meeting of the season, the future of the French driver in MotoGP is once again on everyone's lips. Suzuki? Yamaha? For the moment, Quartararo recently admitted to having gone into “Kimi” mode, in reference to Kimi Raikkonen. “To be honest, I’m not going to talk about my future,” he says. I have a clear goal for this year which is to win or at least fight for the championship. I have nothing to say about my future. In the end, I have people around me who take care of this. »

If behind the scenes discussions are underway between the different drivers and the manufacturers, nothing has yet been confirmed. The announcements should instead come in June... and once we know who Quartararo will be riding for next year, the rest of the MotoGP scene will take shape.