Quartararo: “I really want to fight for victory”

fabio quartararo immediately got into the swing of things by setting the best time in the opening session of this Valencia Grand Prix. Ranked eighth overall, the Niçois spent the two sessions working on his pace and he thinks he still has a little under the handle. “It was a good day, especially the pace which is very good,” he said. This afternoon the pace was good. To chase the clock, we still need to figure out where we are losing. We already have an idea, but we need to improve on a few things. I feel pretty good, I'm driving better than last year. It's good to have the hard tire at the front, because in time-attack, I don't know if many used it, but I was one of them and for the pace it helps a lot. With the wings we have this year, we still have room for some acceleration. »

Ouch! That was closed between @FabioQ20 and @DarrynBinder40 😅#TheDecider pic.twitter.com/RSYTvzfhOG

— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) November 4, 2022

More than ever, qualifying will be essential for the Yamaha rider who is aiming for the first two rows. “I give my best every Saturday,” he recalls. Even when I was eighth, I gave 100%. We'll have to find something for tomorrow, especially in sector no. 4, because we don't know why we're losing so much. In the first partial, there is a part of the straight in which we lose a lot, but afterwards we will have to adapt. Trying to be on one of the first two lines would be ideal. »

Well aware of his mission for Sunday, Quartararo says he does not give too much importance to his opponent Francesco Bagnaia. The Italian may be in a strong position, but he has to deal with the pressure and the mistakes that come with it... “That doesn't really interest me,” he said. This morning, it was funny to see the positions, but it's the first session, I feel good, we're not fighting for victory since Germany and now I really want to fight for the victory, so I just focus on myself and we'll see what happens on Sunday. »

Regarding his strategy for the race, Quartararo added: “My goal is to make the best possible start, to be really aggressive,” he emphasizes. It's important for me to go as quickly as possible, to try to find a solution for the qualifying lap, it's something we're missing this year, but in terms of race pace, we were really good. »