Fabio down but not out for ‘home’ race
KUALA LUMPUR: MotoGP rookie Fabio Quartararo is racing against time to be fully fit for the Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix race at Sepang.
This weekend’s race will be his team’s Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team home race and the French rider confirmed yesterday he has avoided further injury to his left ankle.
Quartararo picked up the injury after being taken out by Italy’s Danilo Petrucci in the opening lap of the Australian Grand Prix last week.
The 20-year-old was already nursing a haematoma (swelling of clotted blood within the tissues) on the ankle after a nasty crash in practice last Friday in Phillip Island.
“Australia was a tough weekend and my mission since then has been to let my ankle recover as much as possible. Fortunately, the injury was not aggravated in my crash on Sunday.
“I want to be as fit as possible as my target is to be 100% ready for Malaysia.
“It’s a high target but it’s important to set my sights high and have that mindset.
“Obviously, we tested in Sepang in the pre-season (in February) and that’s a big benefit in my first year,” said Quartararo, who has already earned a stunning five podium finishes in his rookie year.
“We want to be fast as it’s the home race and a great place to reward the team and Petronas for all their support.
“We did a pretty good job at that test and we return with a lot more experience under our belt.
“For sure, it will be really special with all the Malaysian fans, so we want to reward everyone as best as we can.”
Quartararo also has the opportunity to secure the MotoGP independent riders’ honour to go with his top rookie title.
The French rider is 22 points clear of nearest rival, Jack Miller.
Quartararo can seal the title this weekend if he outscores the Australian by more than three points.