Test leader Quartararo 'can be strong from FP1'

After suffering only his second fall as a MotoGP rider at Silverstone, Fabio Quartararo was back on top of the timesheets during both days of the Misano test.

That performance has put the Petronas Yamaha youngster in confident mood ahead of this weekend's San Marino Grand Prix, where he will be chasing a fourth pole and podium of his rookie season.

"I think we have a good set-up with the bike after completing more than 150 laps in the Misano test so I’m confident that we can be strong from FP1," Quartararo said.

"It was really beneficial to get those two days testing in advance of the race; it’s one of the first times I’ve been able to do that mid-season.

"We’ve already got a very good pace and we know that we’re very strong in qualifying, so if we can just improve our race pace a little bit then I know we can be really well prepared for the final laps of the race.

"The circuit is pretty small, but it’s got a bit of everything which is good for us and our bike.”

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Team-mate and local star Franco Morbidelli backed up Quartararo's test speed with third on the timesheets. Preparing for his 100 grand prix appearance, the Italian feels 'well placed' for a strong result and will hope to challenge for a first MotoGP top four finish.

“Misano is a very special track for me, because it’s my real home race. I can see the track from my house, I train a lot at it and I really like riding it," he said. "There are always a lot of my friends and family who come to the race, and it’s always good to have them to help you relax or get you pumped-up at the right moment.

"It's really positive to head there off the back of two great test days at Misano. We’re well-placed for a strong result after the work we did on the bike’s set-up, but we will see what level of grip and what track conditions we find this weekend.

"We can still improve in the fast corners like turns three and 11, so our set-up isn’t quite 100% ready to race just yet. We have plenty of time in practice and we know what we want to improve, so we’re hoping for a productive Friday to get us where we want to be."

Quartararo is eighth in the world championship, just two points behind top satellite rider Jack Miller, with Morbidelli in tenth.