Petronas Yamaha SRT’s Fabio Quartararo is eying up a historic 2020 hat-trick as he and the rest of the MotoGP™ paddock descend on the Monster Energy Grand Prix České repuliky this weekend.
What is said historic hat-trick? Well, no Yamaha rider has won three races on the bounce at the start of a season since ‘King’ Kenny Roberts went back-to-back-to-back at Misano, Jarama and Paul Ricard on his way to the 1980 500cc crown, but Quartararo has a chance to change that on Sunday afternoon aboard his YZR-M1. But it won’t be easy on a track that isn’t going to favour the Yamaha as well as Jerez did.
Ducati’s GP20 missiles are going to be right at home at the Czech Adrenaline Factory. Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) and the Pramac Racing duo of Jack Miller and Francesco Bagnaia all achieved or challenged for the rostrum at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto, so – assuming all goes well for the Bologna factory – they’re going to provide problems for Quartararo.
“Brno is a track that I really like. We know from last year that we can be fast there and that we have the performance, even if it is not the best place for our bike,” said Quartararo, looking ahead to the Czech GP.
“There are a lot of great corners that make up the circuit but the last corner is one of the best. You have to go in with a lot of corner speed but also prepare to take the perfect line for the straight. It’s great to be going there after taking two wins and we’re looking at fighting for the podium this weekend. Our expectations are high and I can’t wait!”
It’s been a perfect start to 2020 for the 21-year-old sophomore. Two pole positions, two wins. Will anyone stop El Diablo’s onslaught, or will the reigning Rookie of the Year do something that Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Maverick Viñales and more haven’t been able to do onboard Yamahas since 1980?