The Yamaha rider stormed to victory at the Doha GP in Qatar last Sunday in Qatar ahead of Pramacs Zarco and secured the first French 1: 2 in the modern MotoGP era and the first in the premier class of Grand Prix races since then 1954 French GP in Reims. when Pierre Monnerret won on a Gilera and Jacques Collot came third on a Norton.
Both are now first and second in the championship, with Zarco Quartararo leading by four points after the double headed ball from Qatar.
Quartararo admits he was close to tears during the national anthem before Zarco enthusiastically sang along and branded the historic podium as a career highlight.
“It was good,” said Quartararo of his race. “Fortunately, I was a few meters ahead of Johann, but it feels really great to have both of us on the podium.
“When he started singing the French anthem I had a lot of emotions and almost cried, but he made me laugh and that was a great moment together.
“I think it’s one of the best moments of my career to be on the podium with Johann.”
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Zarco says that what he and Quartararo achieved was “phenomenal” for the French motorcycle race and that in addition to his Moto2 title win, he shared the Doha podium with his compatriot.
“It’s true, we talked to Claude [Michy, French GP promoter] about what can happen to the two of us in the last corner, ”added Zarco.
“I said, ‘I think I won’t take any chances because I have to wait for the main straight’.
“It didn’t happen, but Fabio won the race and I’m second. Still, I am happy.
“That’s why I really pushed myself to sing, because you have to realize that what we can do for motorcycles for France is just phenomenal [racing]. So we have to enjoy it and we really enjoyed it.
“He said it was one of the best moments in his career. I didn’t see it that way, but it’s true that it’s one of the best with maybe some world titles from a few years ago.
“But this is a unique moment.”