Quartararo “lost” after Jerez MotoGP arm-pump problem
Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo admits he’s “lost” about what to do after an arm-pump problem robbed him of a commanding MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix victory on Sunday.
The erstwhile championship leader took the lead at the end of the fourth lap having dropped to fourth from pole, before building up an advantage of well over a second.
On course for a third win of the season, Quartararo began to experience arm-pump at around mid-distance and plummeted down the order to 13th.
“Quite easy to know I had a big issue with the arm,” Quartararo said when asked what went wrong.
“So sad because I was feeling really easy in front, I was P4 [on lap one] and I could overtake them.
“I was comfortable with the pace, we had amazing pace this weekend and just had no more power in the arm.
“So disappointed about it, but I’m staying [positive] with the pace I did, fighting to the end even if it was for three points.
“But I fight and I’m staying [positive] with that.”
Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Quartararo had an operation for arm pump during his rookie campaign in 2019 but insists he has never had any issues at Jerez in his life.
His team is currently evaluating options for him ahead of the French GP in two weeks’ time, but he admits the amount information being given to him about this has made him feel “lost”.
“I have no idea, I can’t answer this question because my brain right now is not working,” Quartararo said when asked how he will manage the problem.
“I’m thinking too much, so I prefer to not… I have people already looking, my manager, my best friend, to try to look at the best options.
“I have no idea, for sure something is planned because it’s not ok, my arm is not ok.
“In Portugal last year it was disaster, this year was perfect. Here [at Jerez] I never had problem in my life, this year I have a problem.
“It’s something I don’t understand. We are still looking but there are too many options.
“My brain is full of people telling me to go in one place, to go to the other. And actually right now I’m lost.”
Several riders – including Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro, who was sixth – encountered issues with arm-pump in the Spanish GP, while race winner Jack Miller recently underwent an operation having battled the problem in the Doha GP.
Related video
Previous article
Emotional Miller “worked arse off” for Spanish MotoGP win
Next article
Marquez “destroyed” after Jerez MotoGP race
Why Quartararo’s suit penalty highlights a wider issue in MotoGP
OPINION: Fabio Quartararo racing with his leather suit open and subsequent penalty has been the main talking point of the Catalunya MotoGP weekend, which has highlighted a wider issue with MotoGP’s stewarding that risks a negative precedent going forward.
How MotoGP’s “beast” tamers bounced back at Catalunya
The expectation on KTM to replicate its winning form from 2020 this season made its difficult start to the new MotoGP campaign even more disappointing. But a key update has seen KTM's fortunes reversed over the last week and returned it to the top step of the podium in Barcelona
The signs that point to Rossi's MotoGP retirement
It's not been a happy start to 2021 for Valentino Rossi at the Petronas SRT satellite squad, with performances that are a shadow of the rider that utterly dominated MotoGP at the start of the new millennium. At the age of 42, how much longer can he go on?
Why the most significant Le Mans MotoGP performance wasn't Miller's
Hot on the heels of his first MotoGP win in five years, Jack Miller made it two from two with a commanding French Grand Prix victory at Le Mans despite two long-lap penalties. Impressive though it was, it was an expectation-defying performance from an anticipated title rival that was the real standout.
The impossible problem Honda faces with its 2021 MotoGP bike
Honda hasn’t enjoyed an easy start to the 2021 MotoGP campaign, despite gains last season which looked to have carried over into the pre-season. Now admitting it does have issues in serious need of resolving, it faces an almost impossible task in doing so.
How Jerez underlined MotoGP's speed problem
The brutal nature of a series of crashes at Jerez has reopened the debate about whether current MotoGP speeds are beyond the safety limits of the tracks. But even if riders are supportive of the move, getting the manufacturers to find a consensus on how speed reductions should be achieved may be altogether harder
How a Crutchlow helped Miller to Jerez MotoGP redemption
Jack Miller’s tough start to life as a factory Ducati MotoGP rider left him mentally battered and bruised, but a pep talk and positive reinforcement from a surprising source aided the Australian to show his full potential with victory at the Spanish Grand Prix
What does Marc Marquez have to do to get back to his best?
Following his resounding MotoGP return with a seventh place finish in Portugal, Marc Marquez now must work to rediscover his best form before turning his attention towards results-based targets
