#PETRONAS Yamaha SRT rider sets new circuit record at Assen for qualifying top spot, whilst team-mate Franco Morbidelli will start Dutch GP ninth.
Fabio Quartararo and the PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team continued to make history on Saturday at Assen.
The French rookie took a second consecutive pole position in qualifying for the Dutch GP, becoming the youngest rider ever to achieve such a feat in MotoGP. Franco Morbidelli will start from the third row, in ninth.
Quartararo claimed a third pole position of his rookie season in MotoGP by setting a new all time lap record, a 1min 32.017secs in Q2.
He did so on his final run, having opted for a two-stint strategy in the session. The Frenchman previously occupied pole for this year’s Spanish and Catalan Grands Prix.
Morbidelli will start from the third row, courtesy of the ninth fastest time in Q2. The Italian has been in the top ten of every Q2 session so far this season, and his 1min 33.314secs time kept up his Saturday consistency.
Both PETRONAS Yamaha SRT riders made their way directly into Q2 for the sixth time this season. Fabio Quartararo clocked the best time in FP3, with a 1min 32.471secs lap, while Franco Morbidelli was sixth, thanks to a 1min 32.913secs.
#21 Franco Morbidelli
“We’ve been able to improve a lot compared to yesterday, so that’s very positive. I was able to go faster both in terms of my pace and my flying lap. Even so, we’re still lacking something if we compare my time with the fastest riders. My pace in FP4 wasn’t bad and I think we can fight for the top five. We still have the warm-up tomorrow to come, where we will be able to see where we are. If the race has a large group, I think I can be up at the front.”
#20 Fabio Quartararo
“There’s not much to say; it’s just incredible. Assen is one of the most legendary circuits in the World Championship, and taking pole position and breaking the track record is amazing. I’m very proud of what the team have done. I thought it would be very difficult to beat the time in the final part of the session, but I managed two very fast laps and was able to do it. The feeling we have at this circuit, especially on the last sector, is awesome. Both yesterday and today we worked on race pace, and I think we are good in that regard. It’s a tougher circuit than Barcelona, so my arm is suffering a bit more here, but I was able to get pole position. I’m very happy.”
STARTING GRID
1. FABIO QUARTARARO / PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team1:32.017
2. MAVERICK VIÑALES / Yamaha+0.140
3. ALEX RINS / Suzuki+0.441
4. MARC MARQUEZ / Honda+0.714
5. JOAN MIR / Suzuki+1.068
9. FRANCO MORBIDELLI / PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team+1.297
