With only four races remaining in the MotoGP World Championship in 2021, Fabio Quartararo is 47 points ahead of Francesco Bagnaia and leaves it relatively comfortable, but not at home and dry yet.
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Quartararo has lost points to the Italian in the last two laps (Aragon and Misano), but COTA could offer itself in favor of Quartararo and Yamaha due to many long corners and quick changes of direction.
Two weeks ago to Misano, a race that Quartararo was on the verge of winning, the Frenchman said this would be the lap where he contemplates the championship position.
But Quartararo remains eager for race wins and fights with Bagnaia. So much so that ‘I’ll try if I can achieve something like Misano or better’.
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Quartararo said: “Honestly, behind Jack in Misano [Miller] I had a few moments (thinking of the championship) but as soon as I passed Jack I saw Pecco [Bagnaia] up front and I said ‘I had to try’.
“Second place is okay for the championship and in the end it’s the position we got at Misano.
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“But it’s the race I had the most fun in this year; it’s a shame we didn’t get that place in the end, but the race went super fast and I want more of it in the end.
“Of course, when I see that I’m in a difficult situation, I won’t go over my limit, but if I can do something like Misano or a little better, I’ll try.”
The American lap this weekend will only be Quartararo’s second race at COTA as the 2020 event is canceled due to Covid-19.
Nonetheless, the 22-year-old is confident that the experience he gained in 2019 can lead to a good result, not to mention the greatly improved M1 package 2021 that he is carrying under him.
“We took a lot of experience with us from 2019 so we will drive a lot better. It’s a track that I like and we can achieve a good goal,” added Quartararo.
“Of course we know that the back straights will be a bit difficult for us. The first and last sectors will be important to recover.”