How Quartararo cast aside prior doubts to become MotoGP's new king
Doubts were cast over Yamaha’s French recruit after his disastrous end to the 2020 MotoGP season with Petronas SRT, but Fabio Quartararo answered them convincingly in 2021 to claim a MotoGP title that exhibited both his devastating speed and mental strength
"They were a total disaster. I just wanted to finish the championship whatever the position was."
This was how Fabio Quartararo began to reflect on his historic MotoGP title success at the conclusion of October's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. He was referring to the final three rounds of the 2020 campaign, his second in MotoGP, which had started with wins in the first two races and ended with his title hopes crumbling to nothing after a nightmare end to a season in which he would ultimately finish eighth.
Share Or Save This Story
Lewis Duncan is Autosport's International Editor and primary MotoGP reporter. A motorsport fan from a young age, Lewis became interested in journalism when he won the star letter competition in the February 2012 issue of F1 Racing Magazine. A member of the Autosport Academy from 2017, Lewis became a freelance motorcycle racing correspondent for Autosport in 2019 before becoming a full-time staffer in 2020 as International Editor.
While MotoGP coverage is his priority, Lewis also covers other motorcycle racing across the Motorsport Network, and hosts the Tank Slappers Podcast. He has also occasionally commentated on 750 Motor Club meetings. Away from motorsport, Lewis is a keen record collector with a collection unashamedly largely featuring Iron Maiden and Rush and an avid guitar player.
More from Lewis Duncan
The key MotoGP change that has gone under the radar in 2024
Bezzecchi details “frustrating” time on 2023 Ducati MotoGP bike
Ducati announces Aldeguer signing for 2025, but not where he will race
Why Acosta's MotoGP debut outshone Marquez's a decade earlier
Yamaha “not magicians” as it's left “not happy” after Qatar MotoGP round
Marquez ‘not at limit’ of Ducati despite strong Qatar MotoGP debut
Martin "cannot use strongest parts" of his riding on 2024 Ducati MotoGP bike
The hockey expansion rule that could benefit Andretti's F1 bid
Latest news
Snorkels to make top-tier return at WRC Safari Rally
KTM drops two-time Dakar winner Toby Price from factory programme
The key MotoGP change that has gone under the radar in 2024
Bezzecchi details “frustrating” time on 2023 Ducati MotoGP bike
Prime
Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing
The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form
How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.