Fabio Quartararo was experiencing one of the best moments of his season when everything fell apart. Leading with more than a four-second advantage in the British Grand Prix, a mechanical issue forced him to retire.
Still, the Frenchman highlighted the level of competitiveness he managed to reach with the Yamaha M1.
‘I knew the medium for us was clearly not an option. And because yesterday, we finished quite well with the front, but really bad with the rear. So I knew to go fast today, I had to brake like hell, and this is what I did from the first lap, braking super late. Don’t use so much the rear tire, and I’m managing really, really good way,’ explained the French rider.
With a consistent rhythm, Quartararo felt in control: ‘Let’s say, I think one lap took me four tenths or three tenths, and next lap, I just respond and could, could ride really well. But, yeah, we had an issue with the device that remained blocked on the rear. And, yeah, big shame because I never felt that good since long time, and everything was under control.’
Asked what he was thinking inside his helmet with that kind of lead, Fabio was clear: ‘I mean, I never expect to have the… I think on the first, on the second lap, I had more than two seconds of advantage and I was controlling. So I was pushing on one way, but controlling on the others because I knew that if I push too much on the rear, the end of the race would have been worst. And I push hard on the front, but quite easily on the rear because was really, really windy, and I understand really well where I had to push and where I had to brake a little bit earlier.’
Despite the retirement, Quartararo ended with a note of satisfaction: ‘We have to be happy with what we have done.’