Fabio Quartararo’s (Petronas Yamaha SRT) HJC Helmets Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland ended in the gravel as the rookie sensation crashed out of a MotoGP™ race for the first time.
This was only Quartararo’s second premier class crash having suffered his first in FP3 at the Catalan GP, and it came about after getting a sluggish start from second on the grid. “Yeah I’m ok, I just made a mistake on my start,” began the 20-year-old.
“First and second gear was ok, I tried to put the third gear and I didn’t shift. Unfortunately I broke too early and I had a touch with Jack (Miller) and on the second lap I tried to overtake Petrucci, I was hesitating a lot to see if I needed to do it or and unfortunately it was the wrong choice, too much lean angle, too fast and I lost the front. So yes, it’s our first mistake in the race, first crash and we will come back stronger.”
Strong is a word that fittingly describes Quartararo’s start to his MotoGP™ career. The Yamaha man has achieved two podiums, three pole positions and sits eighth in the Championship, level on points with three-time MotoGP™ race winner Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol). And remember, Quartararo took those podiums while recovering from right arm pump surgery and looked strong at the Sachsenring despite suffering a subluxation of the left shoulder in an FP3 tank slapper down ‘The Waterfall’. So, how does Quartararo assess his first nine races as a MotoGP™ rider?
“First half of the season is really positive. Wed int expect that good, already some podiums, poles, front rows so really happy about the balance of the first half of the season and really looking forward to the second one.”
Three weeks to get fully fit is exactly what the French superstar will need ahead of the Czech GP. Is a win just around the corner during the second half of the season?