A star is born: Fabio comes to the fore in Jerez

Quartararo shines to create history in qualifying at the Spanish GP

There’s a new kid on the block. Petronas Yamaha SRT’s Fabio Quartararo created history in qualifying at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España to become the youngest ever premier class polesitter at 20 years and 14 days old, taking that accolade away from Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team). 

Ever since the flying Frenchman hopped onto a MotoGP™ prototype machine, eyebrows have been raised with just how well he’s adapted. A fifth place in qualifying at the Qatar GP was one of the first signs that Quartararo wasn’t just going to be making up the numbers in his maiden MotoGP™ season.

Two top ten finishes and 17 points later, Quartararo has turned up at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto and taken his first pole position, joining Marquez, Jorge Lorenzo and Johann Zarco as the riders on the current MotoGP™ grid to have taken pole in their first season in the top class.

“I never expect that I can make pole position today so it’s really amazing to be on pole. My first in MotoGP,” said the Frenchman. “All the team have worked a lot throughout the weekend, and I want to thank them for making this possible.

“Race pace is good. OK, Marc is really fast but for me I’m confident we can make a good race. Our goal is still the same, if we can finish between seventh and tenth is good. But if we can do better, that’s a bonus for us.

“For sure it’s really special, it’s incredible. For a rookie team it’s amazing to have a one-two. We hope we can make this more often throughout the season…For me the team is unbelievable. It’s a brand-new team but inside we have a lot of experience. Last year was tough in the beginning but they believed in me for MotoGP™ so yes, it’s an incredible feeling for them and for me.”

If Quartararo wins the race in Jerez on Sunday (20 years and 15 days old), he will be the youngest to win a premier class Grand Prix race, taking the record from Marquez who was 20 years and 63 days old when he won the Americas GP in Austin back in 2013. Nevertheless, if a win doesn’t come his way, the Yamaha rider has two months to try and take another record away from the seven-time Champion.

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