After the race in Thailand Fabio Quartararo leaves without meeting the media: so much bitterness after the inexplicable “zero”.
Fabio Quartararo exits the Chang International Circuit with broken bones after one of his worst races since his debut in MotoGP. Sunday to forget for the reigning champion who, started from fourth on the grid, was sucked into the back and closed out of the points. A heavy zero that could affect the race for the world title against him, with Pecco Bagnaia who is now only two points away and arrives like an avalanche.
This time the talent of the Nice rider could do nothing to fill the gaps in his Yamaha M1. He skipped the traditional post-race media meeting, preferring to speak on an official note released by his team. In the past Fabio Quartararo he was not particularly sweet towards the Iwata manufacturer, better to avoid tensions in a championship final where the assignment of the world title is decided.
World championship at risk for Quartararo
Until the summer break the outcome of this championship seemed obvious and all in favor of Quartararo, boasting 34 points up Aleix Espargarò and 91 points ahead of Pecco Bagnaia. After the Thailand GP 2022, the distance with the rival Ducati is reduced to a flicker, with two points that suggest an imminent overtaking in the standings. “The rain came at the worst time for us – said the leader of Yamaha -. We didn’t have much time to ride on a wet track. The first few laps were very difficult. I was pushed out of Turn 1 by Jack. After that, it only got worse“.
The bad visibility and the lack of feeling in wet conditions sent Fabio Quartararo and the M1 into a tailspin. In the pits we work on the data to understand what happened and find solutions. Because rain is a constant threat in Australia and Malaysia. The team manager commented on the disappointing Sunday Massimo Meregalli: “Obviously it didn’t go according to plan. Fabio was so upset and frustrated that he ran straight to his office after the race. We couldn’t talk to him, so it’s not easy to tell what was going on without hearing him“.
Nobody expected such a debacle, in Indonesia he finished second in the wet, he had no particular problems with the rain tires. “Unfortunately in this race it was the opposite – concluded Meregalli -. For us, the reason is still unclear and we need time to understand it. Maybe it happened because the grip was significantly lower than in Mandalika. I would say this is one of the main causes“.
