Fabio Quartararo held a commanding lead during the British Grand Prix, leading by over four seconds before a mechanical issue abruptly ended his race. The French rider was competing at a high level on the Yamaha M1, displaying one of his best performances of the season before the setback occurred.
Maintaining Control Through Tactical Riding
Quartararo knew the medium tire compound was not the best option for the race, deciding to push the limits with careful braking to conserve the rear tire.
“I knew the medium for us was clearly not an option. And because yesterday, we finished quite well with the front, but really bad with the rear. So I knew to go fast today, I had to brake like hell, and this is what I did from the first lap, braking super late. Don’t use so much the rear tire, and I’m managing really, really good way,”
he explained.
He maintained a consistent pace, able to respond quickly each lap while keeping the bike under control until the mechanical fault occurred.
“Let’s say, I think one lap took me four tenths or three tenths, and next lap, I just respond and could, could ride really well. But, yeah, we had an issue with the device that remained blocked on the rear. And, yeah, big shame because I never felt that good since long time, and everything was under control,”
Quartararo said.
Strategic Approach to Managing Race Conditions
During the race, Quartararo balanced pushing hard with managing tire wear amid challenging, windy conditions.
“I mean, I never expect to have the… I think on the first, on the second lap, I had more than two seconds of advantage and I was controlling. So I was pushing on one way, but controlling on the others because I knew that if I push too much on the rear, the end of the race would have been worst. And I push hard on the front, but quite easily on the rear because was really, really windy, and I understand really well where I had to push and where I had to brake a little bit earlier,”
he reflected.
Despite Setback, Positive Outlook on Performance
Although forced to retire, Quartararo remained focused on the positives from his strong showing throughout the race.
“We have to be happy with what we have done,”
he noted, expressing satisfaction with his performance despite the disappointing mechanical failure.
Implications for Quartararo’s Season Moving Forward
This mechanical issue at the British Grand Prix denied Quartararo a likely victory, but it also demonstrated the rider’s ability to maintain control and pace under difficult conditions. His performance signals strong potential for the remaining races of the season, as he continues to maximize the capabilities of his Yamaha machine while managing tire wear and race strategy effectively.
