Quartararo “worried” about “perfect” Suzuki MotoGP bike
Erstwhile MotoGP championship leader Fabio Quartararo admits he is “worried” about the Suzuki threat in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix as he thinks the GSX-RR is “perfect”.
Joan Mir put on a late charge for the podium in last weekend’s San Marino GP at Misano, overhauling Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi on the last lap to claim third, while Alex Rins was close to the rostrum in fourth.
This followed on from a second-place finish in the Austrian GP, and he was on course for victory in the Styria race before it was red-flagged – Mir ultimately ending up fourth as a result of a lack of a fresh front tyre for the restart.
Suzuki impressed at the Red Bull Ring, with its overall package stopping it from being swallowed up on the straights by Ducatis and Hondas.
With the second Misano round expected to be much tighter than last weekend, Petronas rider Quartararo expressed concerns about the threat Suzuki poses to Yamaha.
“Yes, I'm worried because they are fast in the straight, they are fast in acceleration to overtake people, they are so fast,” Quartararo said when asked if Suzuki’s pace last weekend concerned him.
“So, yes, I'm worried because both riders are very fast.
“Mir is in full confidence, so it's not easy for us because we are spread in this area and I think right now overall the bike is the perfect bike.
“So, yes, overall from the chassis, engine power, I think is really great, handling [also].”
Mir brushed off Quartararo’s assessment, noting that Yamaha “is getting pole positions, and the winner of the last race was one Yamaha”.
“I didn’t know Fabio rode my bike,” the Suzuki rider joked. "It’s really nice to hear someone that knows my bike better than me.
“What can. I say, of course the bike of the other people is better than the one you are using for sure.
“At the moment, the one that is getting pole positions is him and the winner of the last race was one Yamaha. So, I don’t know if I have to answer that question.
“Yes, for sure, I feel great and for sure we have a great package. Now, I feel good with the bike, I think we are in a good level. I’m ready to fight with these guys for sure.”
Additional reporting by German Garcia Casanova
Nakagami felt "no negatives" on 2020 Honda in Misano test
Vinales demands Yamaha reaction to avoid “little kitty” risk
Spanish rider Raul Torras Martinez dies in Isle of Man TT Supertwin race
Spanish rider Raul Torras Martinez dies in Isle of Man TT Supertwin race Spanish rider Raul Torras Martinez dies in Isle of Man TT Supertwin race
Isle of Man TT 2023: Dunlop notches up 24th win after dominating Supertwins race
Isle of Man TT 2023: Dunlop notches up 24th win after dominating Supertwins race Isle of Man TT 2023: Dunlop notches up 24th win after dominating Supertwins race
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
Quartararo using 2021 set-up to battle Yamaha MotoGP problems
Quartararo using 2021 set-up to battle Yamaha MotoGP problems Quartararo using 2021 set-up to battle Yamaha MotoGP problems
Quartararo ‘not confident’ Yamaha understands how to improve its MotoGP bike
Quartararo ‘not confident’ Yamaha understands how to improve its MotoGP bike Quartararo ‘not confident’ Yamaha understands how to improve its MotoGP bike
Why Yamaha has just six months to safeguard Quartararo's future
Why Yamaha has just six months to safeguard Quartararo's future Why Yamaha has just six months to safeguard Quartararo's future
Why the 2022 MotoGP season had a bittersweet ending
Why the 2022 MotoGP season had a bittersweet ending Why the 2022 MotoGP season had a bittersweet ending
Mir: No publicity campaign will replicate what MotoGP gave Suzuki
Mir: No publicity campaign will replicate what MotoGP gave Suzuki Mir: No publicity campaign will replicate what MotoGP gave Suzuki
Rins was ‘crying on the grid’ before taking Suzuki’s farewell MotoGP win
Rins was ‘crying on the grid’ before taking Suzuki’s farewell MotoGP win Rins was ‘crying on the grid’ before taking Suzuki’s farewell MotoGP win
Aston Martin plans Canada upgrade as F1 development push ramps up
Aston Martin plans Canada upgrade as F1 development push ramps up Aston Martin plans Canada upgrade as F1 development push ramps up
Alfa Romeo F1 appoints Key as technical director
Alfa Romeo F1 appoints Key as technical director Alfa Romeo F1 appoints Key as technical director
SUPER GT must tighten rules after Suzuka confusion - Baguette
SUPER GT must tighten rules after Suzuka confusion - Baguette SUPER GT must tighten rules after Suzuka confusion - Baguette
Matsuda leaves intensive care after horror Suzuka crash
Matsuda leaves intensive care after horror Suzuka crash Matsuda leaves intensive care after horror Suzuka crash
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.