Sepang.- For the first time since Portimao in April, the Frenchman arrives at a grand prix without being the leader of the world championship, a situation that could be seen coming due to the incredible pace of Pecco Bagnaia in his comeback and the multiple problems caused by the that Fabio Quartararo has spent in the second half of the season.
“In the last few races I didn’t really enjoy myself. But now I’m in a situation where I shouldn’t think too much, just go to the limit. I have nothing to lose,” said the Yamaha rider on Thursday ahead of the Malaysian Grand Prix.
With this change of scenery, Fabio is determined to make some changes.
“Whenever we go to a circuit I feel good and we don’t touch the bike, it’s time to make improvements in some areas even if we feel good with the bike.”
Quartararo placidly led the World Cup until the Assen race, since then Bagnaia has cut 91 points from him.
“The second part of the World Championship was horrible, but I have to try to turn it around in the last two races,” he added.
“This is one of my favorite circuits. You have to do the best timing possible on Saturday, and then we’ll see.”
On the points where they lose the most compared to the Ducati, Quartararo spoke in general terms.
“We lack performance in all areas, not just the engine. They (Yamaha) know what we need, there is no need to repeat it ad nauseam. In the Misano test we had improvements in engine performance, let’s see if we can improve the chassis now.
The feeling is that Quartararo is racing completely alone against the Ducatis.
“Competing against the Ducati is difficult and it’s difficult when you’re up front”, since not even his own teammate, Franco Morbidelli, is capable of approaching the Frenchman.
“About Morbidelli, I really don’t know what to say. He went from a 2019 to 2021 bike, but he’s had a year and a half to adapt. I’ve helped him as much as I could, but he hasn’t taken the step forward that We expected. If I am competitive, he should also be able to be, “settled the one from Nice .