Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this Weekend with Fabio Quartararo Re-Signed to Yamaha For 2023 & 2024
Author: Myanna Wedes
The 2022 Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya race weekend is here and what an exciting start it is with the announcement of Fabio Quartararo staying on board with the factory Yamaha squad for another two seasons. The decision was a calculated one and took a lot longer than anticipated to be signed, especially since the Yamaha factory will only have two bikes on the grid for next year with the loss of their satellite team to the Aprilia factory. Quartararo is a strong rider and has confidence in the Yamaha brand, which is important, because it will determine how a rider approaches each race. The power issue is the main area of concern and Quartararo has been pushing for change and the team is listening to the feedback provided by the rider. The main area of convincing the French rider to stay with the team is the fact that they are bringing new people to the team, working hard, and acknowledging where their negative points are also known in this sport as weaknesses that impact results. Yamaha, know they must come to the party because Valentino Rossi is a clear example of success that can be achieved when things are on point. Quartararo is the future for Yamaha, and he will have to do it as a solo act considering his teammate Franco Morbidelli is far from the front.
Fabio Quartararo #20:
“I’m looking forward to riding in Catalunya. We left Mugello in a better shape than expected, so that means we have good potential this weekend. I like Montmeló. It’s usually a good circuit for me, so I will be trying to get another podium again and maybe even a win. We will do our best!
I am really happy to announce to all of you that I will stay with Yamaha for two more years. In the past, moving up to MotoGP with Yamaha and later to the Factory team were no-brainers. Yamaha believed in me from the very beginning, and that is something I do not take lightly. But that being said, this new agreement was a big decision. I'm at a great point in my career, so I took a bit more time taking this decision to be sure. I believe in the Yamaha MotoGP project, and I feel Yamaha are truly motivated. And now that we have officially confirmed our decision to continue on this path together, we can fully focus on the current season. I want to say ‘Thanks!’ to the people around me, who always help me and support me, as well as to the fans who are cheering me on. I really do appreciate all the support.”
With the dominant performance of Aprilia to date, Aleix Espargaro is excited for the weekend. The Spanish rider feels as though he has less pressure racing at the front and had more concern when he was in the middle to back of the pack because of the desire to achieve at least one podium finish. The competitiveness at this circuit will be on display with both Espargaro and Maverick Vinales because their bike is working in all areas and showcasing its versatility from circuit to circuit. A Espargaro is completely aware that engine power will be an advantage this weekend and that Pecco Bagnaia and Enea Bastianini will be strong. In honouring his daughter Mia this weekend, Espargaro is wearing a pink helmet to say thanks to the team at CorAll Family who supported his family and the doctors who worked on her when she experienced problems with her heart. This gesture is lovely and will certainly push Espargaro to win or podium this weekend.
In comparison, Bagnaia has reservations about the circuit because in over 10 years he has never produced a quality result at this circuit location. The grip settings, tyres and overall confidence levels will be key especially since Bagnaia associates this circuit with the flat track style. The right-hand side of the tyre will experience the most wear as the laps count down and Bagnaia knows what to expect although a high level of hard work will be required if he wants to stay at the front. As a title contender, bagging as many points as possible is everything and the Ducati rider cannot afford to crash this weekend.
Aleix Espargaro #41:
"It’s always important to start well and to find the right feeling with the bike and with the track. On this track grip is really low, so tyre choice and how to manage them to the end of the race are fundamental issues. Now we’ll have to carefully analyse the spin levels and the speed on corners for each different tyre in order to make the right choices and set up the best strategy."
Pecco Bagnaia #63:
"I am happy to be back on my Desmosedici GP after last week's stunning victory at Mugello. In 2021 we struggled a little bit at Montmelò, but this year we're getting there on the strength of a period in which my feeling with the bike is excellent. So I hope that these good feelings will allow me to do well at Catalunya as well. Compared to Mugello, the forecast seems to give good weather for the whole weekend, but in any case, we are ready for the race in any condition".
If you are a Marc Marquez fan, you will be relieved to hear the news about his surgery that took place in which Marquez has put his career on the line to have his humerus bone operated on and repaired to enable him to ride without limitation. The decision to have the operation is brave because there are no guarantees. We have not been told when MM93 will return, all we do know is that when he does, the goal will be a World Championship. The surgery itself is fascinating and below is the insight provided by the Doctor who performed the operation. We look forward to seeing the Spanish Ant back on track soon. In the meantime, Pol Espargaro and his fellow Honda riders will need to pull up their socks and bring home the results.
Dr. Sanchez Sotelo MD PhD
Chair of the Division of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, Mayo Clinic:
"Today we had the opportunity to operate on the right humerus of Mr. Marc Marquez. The procedure was completed in approximately three hours. Despite the complexity of the procedure, the final outcome was satisfactory. Surgery consisted in removing the proximal two screws of the posterior plate previously placed by Dr. Samuel Antuña on December of 2020, followed by a rotational humeral osteotomy. Such procedure involves creating a transverse cut of the humeral bone to rotate the humerus along its long axis. The amount of rotation performed today was approximately 30 degrees of external rotation. The humerus was stabilized in the new position using an anterior plate with multiple screws. Surgery was completed uneventfully. We would like to wish Mr. Marquez a swift recovery and a successful return to his professional career."
Pol Espargaro #44:
“I know that the home fans will give me an extra boost this weekend. After some hard races, this is just what I need to get our year back to where it should be. I arrive as motivated and as focused as ever and from Free Practice 1 we will be working to achieve our goals. There’s still a lot of races left to run and what we find in these races can help us a lot at the end of the year. Also with the test on Monday, we will have a lot of bike time to be able to understand everything.”
Finally, there has been a lot of speculation about the future of Australian rider Jack Miller. There are whispers that an announcement is imminent, and it could potentially see the Ducati star move to the KTM Factory squad partnering Brad Binder. We are yet to hear when the future of Miller will be announced, although it is sounding more and more likely that he will not be at Ducati next year which is a real shame. We feel as though Miller is an asset to their brand. This weekend and the next few are vital for his career, so we look forward to seeing him race his heart out.
Jack Miller #43:
"I'm happy to be back on track this weekend to put last Sunday's result at Mugello behind me. The Catalan GP will be like a home race for me as I live in Andorra, and I often come to Montmelò to train with my Panigale V4S. I know the track very well, and I like it. Also, I finished on the podium last year, so I hope I can do the same again this year."
As the contract sagas continue for next year, the grid is sure to be shaken up in 2023, so who do you think will be at each team next year where the seats are available and open?
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