Formula 1 flirtation: Fabio Quartararo still hopes for a test

Fabio Quartararo attracted attention with a detour to Formula 1 between the MotoGP weekends at Balaton Park (Hungary) and Brno (Czech Republic). The Frenchman was a guest at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona and was spotted, amongst other places, in the Ferrari pit. He subsequently summed up his impressions on Instagram with the words “F1 hits different” (“Formula 1 is simply something special.”).

Ahead of the Czech Republic Grand Prix, the Yamaha rider explained what had particularly impressed him about the pinnacle of motor racing. “There are many differences. Of course, Formula 1 has a different budget to MotoGP. It’s all much more exclusive,” Quartararo explained. He was particularly struck by the secluded atmosphere in the paddock. “There are far fewer people about.”

For the drivers themselves, the environment is also different. Quartararo enjoyed chatting casually with his Formula 1 friends. “I spoke to Lando (Norris) right in the middle of the paddock. That was pretty cool,” said the Frenchman.

When asked whether he preferred life in the Formula 1 paddock or that in MotoGP, Quartararo didn’t have to think twice. “As a rider there, definitely. It’s much more relaxed. You don’t have to constantly rush from one appointment to the next on a scooter. That’s definitely nice.” At the same time, the former MotoGP World Champion emphasised that the two series are hardly comparable. “They’re two different worlds. I enjoy MotoGP too, so it’s all good.”

The fact that Quartararo feels at home in the Formula 1 paddock is also down to his close ties with several Grand Prix drivers. He gets on particularly well with the Frenchman Isack Hadjar. “I love Isack. We have a really great relationship and often chat on FaceTime,” revealed the Yamaha star. He also maintains friendly relations with Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, Pierre Gasly and Charles Leclerc. “But Isack is the one I get on best with.”

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The link with Formula 1 could become even closer in the future. A few years ago, there were already plans for a test in a Formula 1 car as part of a collaboration with a shared sponsor. At the time, however, the project never came to fruition.

“We had an agreement back then, but we never actually followed through,” he explained. The Frenchman has, at least, already got a first taste of it in the simulator. “I wasn’t half bad. That’s why it’s something I definitely want to do in my life. We’ll organise something.”

Quartararo demonstrated just how serious he is about this statement with a remarkable anecdote. In the simulator on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit, after 60 laps, he was just 2.2 seconds off Valtteri Bottas’s fastest time. “That wasn’t too bad. It was really nice,” said Quartararo with a smile.