#PETRONAS Yamaha SRT riders face seventh round of the year aiming to capitalise on practice pace in the race.
PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team duo Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo are both eager to ensure that practice pace translates to race results at this weekend’s seventh round of the MotoGP World Championship at the technically demanding Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit.
Whilst both riders can reflect on a highly positive season so far, both want to finish further up the order in the race, following an Italian GP in Mugello which fell short of their high expectations.
Quartararo will be facing his first race since undergoing surgery to treat compartmental syndrome in his right forearm last week. After several days of rehabilitation work, the Frenchman is expecting to be declared fit to contest the Catalan GP, where last season he claimed his first ever Grand Prix victory when competing in Moto2. The top rookie this year has a total of 31 points and occupies 12th position in the overall standings.
Morbidelli’s best result at the Spanish track to date was in 2017, when he placed fifth in the Moto2 race. The Italian comes into the Catalan GP in 11th position in the MotoGP World Championship, with 34 points, after placing in the points in four of the six races held this season.
The 24-lap MotoGP race will be held on Sunday, June 16th at 2pm local time.
#21 Franco Morbidelli
“The Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit is a track that I like. Last year I felt good there in my rookie season in MotoGP and I managed to be fast, finishing inside the points. It was a good weekend for me. Now we come to Barcelona with mixed feelings: We are positive about the work we did throughout the weekend in Italy but sad about the final results. I am really keen to have a good race and keep taking important points for the overall standings.”
#20 Fabio Quartararo
“We come into this race off the back of me having undergone surgery in Barcelona last week. Everything looks good with the arm so far and I feel good. Now I just need to pass the medical examination at the circuit on Thursday and then get back on my bike.
Barcelona is one of my favourite circuits. I’m looking forward to riding there with a MotoGP bike. It’s a fast and long track, which is something that I like. It brings back some very good memories, because last season I earned my first World Championship victory there. I can’t wait to return and have a good race.”
