Having lost 47 points to Francesco Bagnaia over the last three rounds, Fabio Quartararo needs to take as much benefit as possible from the Italian’s Misano grid penalty.
Aleix Espargaro remains Fabio Quartararo’s nearest MotoGP title rival, but Francesco Bagnaia is fast closing in after victories in the last three races.
While many riders reacted positively to the surprise news that MotoGP is planning Sprint races for 2023, reigning world champion Fabio Quartararo and title rival Aleix Espargaro were among those not impressed by the idea.
When MotoGP title leader Fabio Quartararo overcame a second row start to challenge Johann Zarco for the early race lead at Silverstone, it looked as though his Long Lap penalty might barely impact his race.
With a Long Lap penalty to serve in the British MotoGP at Silverstone, Saturday’s qualifying session took on even greater significance for title leader Fabio Quartararo.
Andrea Dovizioso may have decided there is no chance of a breakthrough in adapting to the 2022 Yamaha during the second half of the season, but Franco Morbidelli has pledged to ‘keep grinding, keep working, keep searching’.
Fabio Quartararo’s average race position in the early laps this year, and number of places lost by others with Long Laps, suggests the MotoGP title leader will find himself at the lower end of the top six at Silverstone.
Monster Yamaha team director Massimo Meregalli feels the decision to penalise Fabio Quartararo for the Assen incident with Aleix Espargaro is ‘not only harsh, but inconsistent’
UPDATE: Fabio Quartararo has been given a Long Lap penalty to serve at the upcoming British Grand Prix for causing Sunday's Assen accident with Aleix Espargaro.