It's been some journey for Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP). From becoming the only person in history to clinch back-to-back Junior Moto3™ World Championships in 2013 and 2014, to now being the premier class king. Let us take you on a trip down memory lane and enjoy the top five moments from the Frenchman's Grand Prix career.
1. P2 IN RACE TWO
It didn't take Quartararo long to make his mark on the world stage as he bagged a career-first podium in only his second start. Promoted to the Moto3™ World Championship having just won the junior series with the Estrella Galicia 0,0 squad, the then 15-year-old held off Enea Bastianini and Brad Binder to clinch a debut rostrum at the Circuit of the Americas.
2. BARCELONA BRILLIANCE
Two fruitless years followed for Quartararo in the lightweight class and then in Moto2™. For 2018, the Frenchman moved to the Speed Up squad and, after a challenging opening six rounds of the year, things clicked into place in Barcelona. Pole position and then a dominant victory saw El Diablo stand on the top step of a Grand Prix podium for the very first time.
3. HISTORY IN JEREZ
Petronas Yamaha SRT snapped up the Frenchman ahead of their debut year in MotoGP™ in 2019 and it didn't take long for Quartararo to repay their trust in him. At just 20 years, 14 days, the Frenchman became the youngest poleman in MotoGP™ history, breaking the previous record set in 2013 by Marc Marquez, who was 20 years, 62 days.
4. THE WAIT IS OVER
Quartararo was forced to watch Marc Marquez take victory ahead of him on five separate occasions in 2019 but it didn't take long for him to end his victory drought in 2020. At the opening race of the season in Jerez, the Frenchman romped clear to celebrate a debut victory and officially announce himself as a serious title contender.
5. CHAMPION OF THE WORLD
The dream is realised. Despite starting P15, his worst MotoGP™ qualifying result, Quartararo kept his cool to produce a fantastic race. In the end though, his finishing position wouldn’t matter as title rival Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) crashed out of the race lead, automatically handing Quartararo the 2021 World Championship title. What a season, a thoroughly deserving King of MotoGP™.