Quartararo popular because he is “not looking for enemies”

Quartararo became Yamaha’s first world champion since Jorge Lorenzo in 2015 when he stormed France’s first title in the premier class with two laps to go in 2021.

The Frenchman won five races in the 2021 season, with his first race signed with the Yamaha factory team to replace MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi.

Not only popular with fans, Quartararo’s success in 2021 was highly acclaimed by its rivals on the track.

Yamaha CEO Jarvis speaks exclusively to Motorsport.com’s Spanish-language sister website that Quartararo’s personality is “one of Fabio’s strengths” and the fact that he “doesn’t have to make enemies” to motivate himself has earned him universal popularity .

“He’s a really good guy and he also has the ability to be very quick, be aggressive when you have to and overtake when you have to,” said Jarvis.

“He always brings a lot of positive to the team. There are drivers who need an enemy to do their best to destroy their opponents, but Fabio is not like that.

“He’s not looking for enemies, but rivals to compete with. If Fabio is so popular with the other drivers, it’s because he doesn’t have to create these enemies.”

Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing

Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Jarvis added that Quartararo’s personality is overall positive for MotoGP, while noting the Frenchman “is the champion who made it the easiest for me to work with”.

“It’s good for MotoGP to have a champion with this personality and spirit,” continued Jarvis.

“It’s not easy to find. If we can keep it up, we will certainly do well in the post-Rossi era.

“Throughout my career I’ve worked with some drivers who made it very easy for me and others who were much more difficult to handle.

“The thing is, those who are good people don’t usually win.

“In this sense, Fabio is the champion who made the collaboration the easiest for me.”

Quartararo will stay with Yamaha in 2022 but admitted after a disappointing Jerez test on the new M1 post-season that he wouldn’t sign anything for 2023 until he saw tangible progress on the bike in the Sepang pre-season test in February.