Fabio Quartararo credits his remarkable qualifying performances to a lifetime of crashes and a unique ability to “disconnect” his brain when it matters most. Having started riding at just four years old, the 2021 MotoGP champion estimates he’s fallen “at least 150 times” in his career, which has helped him shed fear in high-pressure situations.
Quartararo has built a reputation as one of the sport’s best one-lap specialists, with six poles in his rookie year and 14 more since, including four this season. He describes the moment before a flying lap as one where nerves vanish instantly, allowing him to focus purely on speed — a mindset he calls “sane madness.”
However, while his qualifying pace is lethal, race-day results often suffer as he slips back into the pack. Yamaha’s current focus on developing a V4 engine won’t bring immediate gains, and unless they fix their bike’s core weaknesses, the Frenchman’s future with the team could be at risk.
