Fabio Quartararo has led the championship for most of the year and at the Emilia Romagna GP he will have his first chance to win the title, two races before the end of the 2021 season.
Five-time 500c world champion Mick Doohan was impressed with the Frenchman’s performance since his MotoGP debut and his lead this year, despite riding a less powerful Yamaha than the Ducati and dominating the Italian bike at times.
“It’s been there all the time for the last couple of seasons,” Doohan said on the In The Fast Lane podcast. “He’s doing what it takes to win the championship. He’s not on the front row every weekend, but he’s there or close. That’s enough. The Yamaha has a good chassis, above all. It doesn’t have the power, but it sets the pace. difference. He was the only one who could threaten Marquez when he was at 100%. I think he is the new man of the moment, nobody can be at his level every weekend.”
“ When things go well for Quartararo, he’s really on his own. He’s pretty quick. He’s more or less on his own. Yamaha has to find some power. I don’t understand how in the 30 years I’ve been in the championship, they always seem to lack performance, like Suzuki , while the manufacturers come in and find the power.
Quartararo first challenged for the title last year, but his three wins were his only podium finishes of the season. Riding a less consistent Yamaha, the Nice rider lost his way in recent races and after working with a psychologist he has managed to change his approach this year. The Diablo has been able to salvage significant points in less favorable races, acknowledging that it likely would have crashed in similar conditions a year earlier.
“Maybe he had a pressure problem, but maybe it got bigger because of some bad results and more pressure,” Doohan analyzed. “Each one has a different approach. It is clear that he is the one who can win, he knows it and he is gaining confidence. His confidence in the bike shows.”
(Before continuing reading, click on this link or on the image to see the photos of Fabio Quartararo’s 2021 season in MotoGP)
“If he doesn’t win this year, he will have a problem, but a psychologist will have to talk about that. The boy has talent. He seems to work a lot and that’s an important part. the track. You’re totally immersed in that world.”
The Australian assures that he “has never felt” any pressure that made him lose his nerve, but believes that “every person is a little different” and notes that Quartararo “clearly had some concerns” during 2020. He understands that the high expectations placed on a pilot can confuse you.
“We have the pressure of the result. That’s why they give you a bike, to ride it and give results to the team and to everyone, so there is that pressure, but it comes above all from the will to win and be the best, because in the end everyone races to have fun, but also to win. No one says to themselves ‘it would be nice to finish third today’. You need that determination and that comes with the pressure you put on yourself.”
“I think everyone has a different way of dealing with that pressure and concentration before a race. On the morning of the race, in the moments before the race, it intensifies a little more. Some joke around, but it’s clear that everyone The world has the same determination, or half on the grid. The other half is happy to be there.
