Quartararo “switched brain off” to do Germany MotoGP qualifying laps
Championship leader Fabio Quartararo says he “switched my brain off” to be able to qualify second on Saturday for the MotoGP German Grand Prix, having struggled in time attack mode.
The Yamaha rider admitted on Friday that he needed a Barcelona-style turnaround in grip levels at the Sachsenring to be more competitive, but was still outside the top five come the end of FP3.
But Quartararo went on to qualify second on Saturday and only missed out on pole by just 0.076 seconds to Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia.
Given his time attack struggles, Quartararo admitted he had to “switch off my brain” to be able to do the lap he needed.
“I’m pretty happy because all the Friday and Saturday morning we were not able to qualify in the top five when we were with the soft tyre,” Quartararo said afterwards.
“And in qualifying I basically switched off my brain a little bit and tried to make the best lap as possible.
“Second place is great, and also the pace in FP4 was good with both tyres.
“So, I think in any case whatever our choice is we will have a great potential for the race.”
Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Quartararo suffered an odd moment towards the end of FP3 when the visor on his crash helmet broke.
This is the second time in the space of a year that the Frenchman has had riding gear problems, following his suit zipper malfunction in last year’s Catalan GP.
But Quartararo explained that his visor issue was his own mistake as he likely didn’t clip it into place properly, which allowed some wind to get underneath it and force it open when he was looking behind him for oncoming traffic.
“You know, I’m always a rider that likes to make strange things,” Quartararo joked, in reference to his riding gear problems.
“I think I went out and I didn’t really clip it well. There were some riders in front of me and I knew Aleix [Espargaro] was going fast [behind].
“I turned around and just the visor came up and then came off so, I think it was a bit of my mistake and that’s why I didn’t get angry.”
Honda: Marquez return before end of 2022 “very important”
Espargaro ‘feels like I’ve been hit by a truck’ after MotoGP crash
Bagnaia: MotoGP should cut some GP lengths due to sprints
Bagnaia: MotoGP should cut some GP lengths due to sprints Bagnaia: MotoGP should cut some GP lengths due to sprints
KTM MotoGP bike less physical than Ducati was, says Miller
KTM MotoGP bike less physical than Ducati was, says Miller KTM MotoGP bike less physical than Ducati was, says Miller
The hockey expansion rule that could benefit Andretti's F1 bid
The hockey expansion rule that could benefit Andretti's F1 bid The hockey expansion rule that could benefit Andretti's F1 bid
Aston ready to evaluate wing choices to counter Red Bull F1 top speed
Aston ready to evaluate wing choices to counter Red Bull F1 top speed Aston ready to evaluate wing choices to counter Red Bull F1 top speed
Tandy, Jaminet complete Porsche LMDh driver line-up for Le Mans
Tandy, Jaminet complete Porsche LMDh driver line-up for Le Mans Tandy, Jaminet complete Porsche LMDh driver line-up for Le Mans
Stroke victim Hutchinson forced out of 2023 Isle of Man TT
Stroke victim Hutchinson forced out of 2023 Isle of Man TT Stroke victim Hutchinson forced out of 2023 Isle of Man TT
Why MotoGP's new format can't be solely blamed for Portugal chaos
Why MotoGP's new format can't be solely blamed for Portugal chaos Why MotoGP's new format can't be solely blamed for Portugal chaos
Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?
Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP? Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing
The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form
The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form
How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team
How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team
How one MotoGP team went from title challengers to losing it all in four years
How one MotoGP team went from title challengers to losing it all in four years How one MotoGP team went from title challengers to losing it all in four years
Is Marc Marquez ready to reclaim his MotoGP throne?
Is Marc Marquez ready to reclaim his MotoGP throne? Is Marc Marquez ready to reclaim his MotoGP throne?
How MotoGP's underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023
How MotoGP's underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023 How MotoGP's underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023
How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races
How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races
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.