MotoGP Interview: Fabio Quartararo - EXCLUSIVE

Five-minutes with Fabio Quartararo, shortly before the Petronas Yamaha Sepang team launch at the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur on Monday…

Crash.net:

How has your winter been?

Fabio Quartararo:

Well, 'tough'! I've been working a lot on my physical condition. I've been to California with Jack [Miller] and Marcel [Schrotter] for three weeks. Doing a lot of motocross, mountain biking, gym, everything to be fit to ride here.

Crash.net:

You want more upper-body strength, is that the main thing?

Fabio Quartararo:

Yeah, after the four days of testing I could see where I need to work. It was basically the upper arms and shoulders. So I've worked a lot on that but I've also tried not to get really big, because you have to be the right size. I think I've made a really good winter and I'm feeling good.

Crash.net:

You seemed to be steadily improving throughout the two tests last year, what is the next step for you with this bike, that you will be working on at Sepang?

Fabio Quartararo:

First, get back into riding a MotoGP bike. Because after more than two months off it will be difficult on the first day. But the main goal is always not to rush and to be ready on Sunday night in Qatar.

Crash.net:

There are four really strong rookies in MotoGP this year, all of you want to be the top guy...

Fabio Quartararo:

Yeah, for sure it's the goal but, no pressure, it's my first year in MotoGP - like every rookie - but I need to take it easy, improve step-by-step and race-by-race to try to make the results possible.

Crash.net:

You haven't had an easy career in grand prix, with some hard times. Has coming through all that helped you to stay calm as you take on this new challenge in MotoGP?

Fabio Quartararo:

For sure it's made me stronger, because I had some really tough seasons. 2016 with Leopard was the toughest. It was a really negative season, but really positive for my experience.

So I take all the positives from everything that has happened to me in my career and leave the negatives.

Crash.net:

Lastly, as you've got to go and unveil the bike, we can see Lewis Hamilton's car downstairs. Lewis has said he would love to try MotoGP, do you like cars and F1?

Fabio Quartararo:

For sure it would be a dream to try his car! I love Formula One. I do karting at home. I also like driving my own car, it's very different, although I try not to go so fast on the street!

But, for sure, to try a F1 car on the circuit would be a dream.

Crash.net:

And you'd let Lewis try your bike?

Fabio Quartararo:

Yeah, yeah. No problem!