Spanish GP Sprint crash still “best day of the year” for Fabio Quartararo

The year is 2022, the stage is Mandalika International Street Circuit, Central Lombok, Indonesia, and the rider sitting in pole position is Fabio Quartararo. That’s the last time Quartararo sat in first position on the grid until this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix, and nothing could take the smile from the French rider’s face.

Three years out of pole position is a long time for a rider who was the 2021 MotoGP World Champion. He didn’t beat out just anyone for first place on the grid, he took it from championship leader Marc Marquez with a qualifying time of 1m35.610s.

If nothing else, this show of form is a cause for celebration for the factory Yamaha squad, and for those who are happy to see any non-Ducati take pole position.

Speaking about taking pole, Quartararo said, “I mean, the first run I’m actually 36.0, and I knew I had a little bit more, but I didn’t expect to have four tenths out of my pocket in just one run, and super happy with the two laps I made. But, yeah, super happy, and also mentally it’s good to be back on the pole position.”

Unfortunately, Quartararo crashed out on just the second lap, and for most riders, taking pole position just to end up in the gravel after one and a half laps would be devastating. But his crash doesn’t tell the full story of the race. 

Marc Marquez had a better start than Quartararo and looked like he’d take the lead heading into the first corner, but Quartararo was the better man on the brakes and held the position he started in. He stayed in first place with a hungry Marquez on his back throughout, and although it was only for two laps, this was enough to keep the Frenchman smiling after his crash.

When asked about his duel with the points leader, Quartararo replied, “We don’t play for the championship, we don’t play for nothing at the moment, and the main goal today was to have fun. You know, the feeling is just one overtake.”

”But to be able to try and overtake on Marc in the first corner, lead the race, see nobody in front for one lap is… seems it’s only two minutes time, but in my head, it’s many years, you know?”

Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing

Photo by: Dorna

The reality was that Quartararo could have taken a different line when Marquez passed him on the inside of the corner, but instead chose to fight for a bit too long, which took him to the dirty part of the track. Today, Quartararo had a fighting spirit, and you can’t help but feel that duking it out with Marquez is what he needed to do.

“Of course, I wanted to finish on the podium but the feeling of not being on the front was for many years, looks like is new for me, you know? I feel it’s a really positive day, and I will say it’s the most positive of the year,” said Quartararo after his lowside crash.

Tomorrow the goal is to fight for a podium, so here’s hoping that the Frenchman can keep two wheels down for the MotoGP race and put on a show for his fans.