Fabio is ready for ‘next step’

La Massana – At his home in Andorra, perched high in the Pyrenees, Fabio Quartararo (above) has his sights set on an horizon far beyond the snow-capped mountain range and to “taking the last step” to become France's first ever MotoGP champion.

“I'm ready to win the title,” says the native of Nice who graduates to Yamaha's factory team from the Japanese manufacturer's satellite outfit in a straight swop with nine-time champion Valentino Rossi.

“It's been a dream come true changing teams, and to have made that switch with Valentino (Rossi),” Quartararo said.

“He's been my idol since I was a little boy, so it's a really big deal.”

Last year, in only his second season in MotoGP, Quartararo was quick out of the blocks, reeling off back-to-back wins in the opening two races to put himself bang in contention.

But then, "huge problems with the motorcycle" put a spanner in his championship challenge.

He ended the Covid-19 curtailed campaign after securing a third win in eighth place behind Joan Mir.

“Last season was really challenging,” he recalls.

"I started out strong, but then I experienced technical issues.

“Unfortunately, it was only my second MotoGP season, so I didn't know how to deal with the problems properly.”

Pandemic precautions inevitably put a dampener on marking his opening wins.

“I came straight back home. We ate McDonald's to celebrate!

“I would have loved to have been able to spend the evening with my parents, my friends and my brother but, unfortunately, I wasn't allowed.”

He says the ever-present threat of the virus was a draining backdrop to the 2020 campaign.

“Not being able to see anyone and having to wear a mask all the time meant it felt like a very long season.

“I really hope this season will be a little easier, because it's mentally challenging for a rider.”

Quartararo himself has recovered from a nasty brush with the coronavirus in December.

"I spent the most difficult week of my life, I was in a bed, on a sofa.

"It was incredible to see the power of this virus," the 21-yearold said.

After ending a run of 20 seasons since the last French MotoGP winner, Quartararo is comfortable with the weight of expectation generated by his three wins. –