Quartararo: “We can do something good by starting fourth”

In 2019, fabio quartararo took pole position on the Buriram circuit. He led all laps before being beaten in the final corner by Marc Marquez. For this third Thai GP in history, the world champion will this time have to deal with a horde of Ducatis.

There will be no less than seven Ducatis on the first three lines; Quartararo and Marquez being the only survivors of the Reds' wave. “Today was hard,” confides Quartararo. I felt we had great potential, especially in terms of pace. I came out with worn tires and felt fast. In qualifying I gave 100%, but we are limited by the engine in many places, we know how much we lose in a straight line, and even with good suction it is difficult. »

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Quartararo set the fourth time in Q2 with a lap of 1'29.909, almost two tenths slower than his pole position established in 2019. “The grip was much higher,” he remembers. We did some good laps today, but the grip was better in 2019. It's the same surface, but I don't know why, because we also have an even softer tire and we didn't manage to do better. Since then, we have seen devices appear that offer better acceleration... We see that other motorcycles have taken a big step forward and not us. »

Keep an eye on Bagnaia and Espargaro

Starting fourth, Quartararo will have to get a good start and monitor what is happening in front and behind. Francesco Bagnaia will start from the front row while Aleix Espargaro will start 13^e (equaling his worst result of the season). “Being third or fourth in the first round, I would be happy,” explains the Nice native. Keeping my place would already be good. At this stage it's still about winning, getting on the podium, but now I have a clear goal: to finish ahead of Pecco (Bagnaia) and Aleix (Espargaro). But it's not going to be easy. You really have to stay focused. We have good pace and we can do something good starting fourth. »

The task looks complicated for the Yamaha rider who has few places to overtake. “The last corner is the only one where I can do it,” he emphasizes. I feel very good, especially in turns 9 and 10 where I can gain speed and prepare well for the last one. I think this is the only one where I can try (…). »