Quartararo and Zarco on the front row at the Sachsenring

Sunday will be the second time since the season opener in Qatar that fabio quartararo and Johann Zarco share the first row on the grid. And during the first occasion, in Indonesia, the two French drivers finished on the podium. 

And why not in Germany? But Quartararo is the only rider on the first three rows on a non-Italian machine... so he will have a lot to do during the race. “We are a bit used to seeing Italian bikes on the first three rows,” smiled the world champion. I'm very happy because on Friday and Saturday morning I couldn't get into the top five with the soft tire. In Q2, I disconnected my brain a bit and tried to do the best lap possible. Second is good, and I also had good pace in FP4. I am fast with both tires so I think whatever we choose we will have good potential for the race. »

It's perfect Pecco at the Sachsenring 🙌

A stunning weekend for @PeccoBagnaia now topped off with a pole position 🥇#GermanGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/ftIY3IAOQB

— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) June 18, 2022

For his part, Zarco, in search of his first success in the premier category, knows that he will have to do everything possible to keep up with Bagnaia and Quartararo, but also that of Aleix Espargaro, if he hopes to play for a place on the podium or even win. “In the second run with a second new tire, I was able to do an extra push and set a good time,” he declared. I was happy, because doing it myself is much better, whereas trying to follow someone always helps. That's good for tomorrow. In FP4, I suffered a little. Friday started off pretty well and in trying to find something better we took a few steps back. We know what can work and we hope that tomorrow I will feel good in the warm-up to prepare for this race, because Pecco and Fabio have a better pace than me, maybe even Aleix, but if I can stay with them and understand some things then maybe I can enjoy the race. »

A France – Italy pass of arms 

Faced with Bagnaia, Zarco and other Ducati who will start behind him, can Quartararo do well? “It's difficult to say, because even in Barcelona I didn't expect to have such a good pace. On Sunday, you can always have surprises. It's true that today I had a little more trouble. Aleix is ​​very strong in the first rounds, but perhaps has a little more wear and tear. Johann is also very fast. At Sachsenring the group is a little big at the start, and I think there will be four or five drivers who will respond. »

How did he get that stopped?! 🤯@FabioQ20 pulling off a stoppie to stay on track 🔥#GermanGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/1CBqMB49zB

- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) June 18, 2022

Faced with higher temperatures on Sunday compared to Saturday, the choice of tires will be crucial to maintain the pace during the 30 laps of the race. Between medium or hard, you will have to make the right decision. “It’s 50-50,” underlined the Frenchman. These are two tires that have to be driven in two different ways, but they both have good potential to fight up front. »

In addition to the tires and the heat, you will also have to deal with physical fatigue. But Zarco is not worried. “It's maybe not the most difficult [race], but maybe it is in terms of tire management,” he admitted. The heat doesn't help, clearly, but physically, there are other circuits that are much more difficult and more demanding. If you feel good, you can control. We'll see tomorrow. I'm not sure yet how others deal with tire wear. This is why starting from the first line is already a big step. »

See you on Sunday from 14 p.m. to follow the MotoGP race of the German GP on the circuit at the end of which we will discover who will succeed Marc Marquez after eight editions of unchallenged reign...