MotoGP Mugello: Quartararo 50/50 on race potential, ‘is gonna be tough’

Monster Energy’s Fabio Quartararo arrives at Mugello as MotoGP Championship leader, defending champion and last year’s victor.

Having won from pole position lat season at the famously high-speed track on the also famously down-on-power YZR-M1, the Yamaha rider knows his potential, as well as his limitations at the Tuscan venue. But with Mugello partnering Barcelona’s Catalunya Circuit for the first of two back-to back outings across the next five weeks, the reigning champion has his work cut out.

“Is difficult to say because it’s not a bad track for us but if we are in a bad position can be bad,” Quartararo said of his race expectations this weekend. “So is kind of 50/50 I would say. If we get a great start, great first lap, it can be changing our race just by qualifying and first lap. So let’s see how is going but I guess that the next two is gonna be tough.

“I will have more or less the same kph difference than last year because we know that other manufacturers improved quite a lot. I think that sector two and three is one of our strong points. Our bike is really good there. I feel good in these corners so putting yourself into the limit there, it’s a good help.”

Aprilia will field a new unhide this weekend, nothing which the Frenchman would quite like in his own locker, but Yamaha does have at least one upgrade up its sleeve.

“We will have a new fairing, we hope can give a few tenths or even a second!” Quartararo joked before continuing. “What can I do is give my best and I give my best since Qatar, I’m pushing myself the hardest I can but then let’s see what we can do on the race. I feel confident, Mugello is one of my favourite tracks so let’s see if we can get great pace, great qualifying and then we see on a