The Cause Quartararo Fails To Score A Hat-trick At Jerez

JAKARTA - Monster Energy Yamaha team racer Fabio Quartararo was on the winning track when he led the half-race of the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday before an arm pump problem emerged and dashed his hopes of a hat-trick at Jerez.

The French rider started from pole position for the fourth time in three seasons at Jerez, although he was again less agile when the red light went out and slipped to fourth into the first corner.

It took Quartararo four laps to regain the lead after overtaking Francesco Bagnaia, Franco Morbidelli, and Jack Miller.

Being in front, El Diablo stepped on the gas and even set a record for the fastest lap of 1: 37,770 on lap 8.

With 17 laps remaining, he is more than a second away from his closest rivals and on paper should be able to grab a hat-trick to win at Jerez after winning the opening two races last year.

However, with 12 laps remaining, he suddenly experienced a problem in his arm muscles, or what is often called an arm pump.

"Today the arm pump is clearly a problem. For about 10 laps I was able to hold Jack Miller one second away, but then I could not feel my right arm," Quartararo said as quoted by Antara from the team's official website.

"We are in a very good position to win. I could have gone faster."

According to the Mayo Clinic, an arm pump is defined as a muscle and nerve condition, caused by exercise, which causes pain, swelling, and sometimes defects in the affected leg muscles or arms as a consequence of the arm muscles swelling due to exertion and becoming too tense.

"Our strength in racing on used tires is meaningless because I don't have the strength left in my arms," said Quartararo.

"I will take the time to think about this situation and try to make the best decision on how to handle this arm pump as soon as possible.

Unable to endure the pain he suffered, Quartararo quickly lost his position in the last 10 laps despite being able to secure the points after finishing P13.

The 22-year-old racer wants to be fit for the next Grand Prix which will be held in his hometown, France, on 16 May.

Jack Miller and Francesco Bagnaia dedicated a 1-2 finish for Ducati and Morbidelli completed the podium for the Petronas Yamaha team.

Bagnaia has now taken over the leadership of the provisional riders' standings with a collection of 66 points, shifting Quartararo to second place by just two points.