Exchange Benches With Rossi, Can Quartararo Overcome Stress

Fabio Quartararo (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - French racer Fabio Quartararo hopes to overcome the pressure and new challenges following his move to the Yamaha factory team to present the Japanese manufacturer the world title for the first time since 2015.

Quartararo, who raced for the Petronas Yamaha team last year, swapped seats with seven-time world champion Valentino Rossi for the 2021 season.

"First, arriving at your factory team will have a lot more pressure, but you have a lot more support," the 21-year-old racer told Autosport at the team launch event on Monday, Antara reported on Tuesday, February 16.

"I think maybe I had more pressure, but I learned a lot last year to deal with that pressure and in the end it was a good pressure when I was a factory rider."

Quartararo, who finished eighth last year, will partner Maverick Vinales this season.

"I have a good relationship with Maverick. I think we can work well together, and we can take Yamaha to the top."

Meanwhile, Vinales said Yamaha has been less united in recent years because each rider has his own team.

"I think it is very important for us to have unity in the team," said Vinales.

Bring it! 🔥 #InItToWinIt #MonsterEnergy | #MotoGP | @MonsterEnergy | @ mvkoficial12 | @ FabioQ20 pic.twitter.com/6V3wlA5G0u

- Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP (@YamahaMotoGP) February 15, 2021

"In previous years it was difficult because there was a Valentino team, my team. Now I think we have the opportunity to become a complete team and go in the same direction as the two riders."

After the team launch event, Yamaha at once stated its commitment to continue competing in MotoGP until 2026.

Quartararo and Vinales will ride their new mounts on March 5 at the shakedown session at Losail Circuit, Doha, Qatar before the pre-season test session begins.

The Losail circuit will also host the opening two series on March 28 and April 4.