The three-time MotoGP race winner Quartararo joins the Yamaha factory squad of Petronas SRT in a straight swap with SRT-bound Rossi this season.
During their seven years together on the factory Yamaha roster, Rossi and Lorenzo developed a fierce rivalry that resulted in a wall being built in the garage to divide their teams and culminating in a bitter fallout as they contested the title 2015 fought.
When asked during his first official appearance as a factory Yamaha rider at the team’s launch event how he believed his rivalry with Vinales might develop, Quartararo said, “With Maverick, I hope it will be like Valentino and Lorenzo will because they will fight 1-2 in the championship until the last race.
“I hope to replace Lorenzo to win the championship, but I have a good relationship with Maverick. I think we can work together very well and bring Yamaha to the top.”
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Quartararo led the championship for much of his 2020 second season, but a loss of form put him in eighth place overall.
It was the first time the Frenchman was championship leader in his grand prix career and this led many to question his print management.
Quartararo does not see the pressure to join the works team as a negative and believes that he can steer the bike better in the direction he wants than with SRT.
“First of all, you go to a works team, you have a little more pressure, but you have a lot more support,” he said.
“When you test, you develop the bike a little bit more for you.
“When I was at Petronas I had it all, but I was just confirming whether it worked or not. But when you are at the factory you say we have to change this to get better.”
“Usually the factory makes the change or they try to do what is best for you.
“I think maybe I’m under more pressure, but I’ve learned a lot over the last few years to deal with the pressure and in the end it’s a good pressure to be a works driver.”