Quartararo aims to bounce back after Brno blip

By Fadhli Ishak

August 13, 2020 @ 9:30am

PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (SRT) rider Fabio Quartararo is looking to bounce back from the tyre woes that kept him off the podium last week at the Austrian Motorcycle Grand Prix this weekend.

Despite starting from the front row, the Frenchman, who won both the Spanish and Andalucian GPs, was only able to place seventh at Brno due to tyre degradation issues.

Quartararo said the scenic Red Bull Ring is a track he enjoys but is aware of the threat posed by home team KTM, who won at the Czech GP through rookie Brad Binder.

"It wasn't the best weekend at Brno but we (still) go to Austria with nine more points in the championship (from seventh place finish). That was important to us," said Quartararo.

"The Austrian track is one that I really like and I'm really looking forward to these next two races there. We know that KTM will be strong again as they've tested a lot there, which means they will have a lot of important data to use in the races.

"Of course, we will have to see what the conditions are when we arrive, at the moment the weather forecast is very mixed. But I think we can be quick there and be back on the podium. We will definitely be trying to repeat, at least, the top-three finish from last year."

Quartararo, who finished third at the Austrian GP last year, currently leads the championship standings with a healthy 17-point advantage over second placed Maverick Vinales (Monster Energy Yamaha).

Teammate Franco Morbidelli, who notched a breakthrough second placed finish at Brno, is keen to build on his strong form.

"I think it has finally sunk in that I achieved my first MotoGP podium last time out (Brno)," said the Italian.

The Austrian GP will be immediately followed up by the Styrian GP, to be held at the same track next week.