Rookie Fabio Quartararo has described the current level of competition in the MotoGP class as “worse than Moto3” after an incredible day of action at the Termas de Rio Hondo Circuit saw 0.978s cover 21 riders.
Quartararo sparkled throughout his first day of action in Argentina as a premier class rider, placing fifth in FP2, and the second Yamaha rider, ahead of Valentino Rossi and Franco Morbidelli.
The 19-year old admitted making the automatic cut into Q2 would be a real test, especially when considering his opinion that one small mistake can cost a rider five positions in the classification.
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“It's worse than Moto3,” he smiled on Friday. “For sure it will be really difficult to go to Q2. We will need to stay focused, I think one mistake can take you out of five positions.
“I checked the lap times, and if I you lose two tenths, you can miss Q2, so you need to make the perfect lap at the right moment to go straight into Q2. But I'm happy about today, I'm thinking more about the race pace, and let's see in FP3 what is going on with the riders.”
On his day overall, he said, “Really positive, made a good pace, I made a really good lap. I didn't expect so much, because without testing, first time with a MotoGP in Argentina. I adapted quite fast to the track, and I think we made a really good Friday.
“I have been, not fully working on the pace, but I've been working on it, and I think that the most difficult will be to keep the tires fresh for the end of the race. Normally, it should be good.
“We need to work on the experience of saving the tires, that doesn't come in one race, so step by step we will make improvements on that part.”
Where does he feel the Yamaha is working well? “Well, I think the Yamaha is working everywhere. I have ridden five tracks, and at five tracks, it has been working well.
“So I have not so much experience with the bike that I can say which part it is working well, but I'm feeling awesome with the bike, nothing really to say for sure, but I think some details in every bike I have been on are always the same.
“You always want a little bit more of grip, turning, but that's the normal things a rider asks from his crew chief. But if not, the bike is going well.”
Quartararo also felt the condition of the Termas de Rio Hondo Circuit was not in as bad a shape as in previous years. “For me, it's much better than last year,” he said.
“OK, I was in Moto2 last year, but from what I can see, the track is less dirty, and I think a little bit more grip, from what I heard also from Moto2. But I think it's quite good.”
