The Yamaha rider followed runaway race winner Marc Marquez on the Circuit of the Americas in second place and was decisive ahead of next title rival Francesco Bagnaia in third place.
This extended Quartararos championship lead to 52 points, so that in 2021 he can win the title at the following race in Misano for the first time, should he leave Italy with at least 50 points lead in the overall standings.
But when asked if his approach to the Misano race will be the same as it has always been this season, Quartararo said, “Yeah, exactly, and I think I don’t have to get obsessed with it [winning the title].
“I mean, we have good points advantage in the championship and I don’t have to think I have to get it at Misano because Pecco was super strong last time at Misano.
“So I’ll do my best there. If we can do it there, it will be fantastic.
“If not, we have another chance, so I’m just calmer and the experience I have this year just keeps getting higher and higher. So, happy to be living this moment.”
Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Quartararo admitted his second in Austin was “the best” of his career as he felt “more stressful” before the start.
“Yes, that was definitely the best second place in my career because, to be honest, I was a little more stressed before the race,” he admitted.
“But from the first corner, as soon as you start the race, the stress is gone and I drove a really good race and I was very happy because Pecco was super strong in the last two races when he scored 50 points.
“It’s great to finish ahead of him on this track and I’m very happy with my result.”
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Quartararo kept Marquez in check in the early laps of Sunday’s race, despite the Honda rider controlling the pace before eventually pulling away.
The championship leader says he tried to ride Marquez but his pace on the used tires just wasn’t as strong as the Honda man’s.
“I tried because I had a big group behind me and Jorge [Martin] I tried to overtake myself at Turn 1 and my only solution for a better race was to push and I pushed, “added Quartararo.
“But I didn’t have Marc’s pace all weekend, especially with used tires.
“But in the end we achieved the main goal. So we knew the goal here was to get on the podium and we achieved it.”