Fabio Quartararo's first season in MotoGP has just ended. The French rider was the true revelation of this 2019 and, apart from a few isolated cases - Dovizioso, Rins and Vinales - he was the only real thorn in Marc Marquez's side, especially in qualifying. With today's second position, Quartararo won this e seventh podium of the season, and six pole positions. The numbers of a veteran, not a rookie.

It's been a perfect year," Fabio confirmed. "At the beginning of the last season, everyone was saying that I didn't deserve this place. I worked for this unique opportunity and have always been ahead."

You seem to be more comfortable with the MotoGP than the Moto2. Why?

"Yes, maybe. Since I got this opportunity with Yamaha, my brain has totally changed and focuses only on the MotoGP. Even when I'm home, I think of the MotoGP. I watch the races. I'm concentrated to the maximum."

But after seven podiums, I'm still missing a victory. Can you reach Marquez's level?

"I have to improve to keep fighting with Marquez. He has something more than me. He's at his best, and he has a bike that fits him. I'm in my first year, and I've worked a lot. I'm fast in qualifying, but I'm still miss something ."

Tuesday, the new season will start with a Yamaha that is slowly catching up with Honda and Ducati. Have you already given indications for developing the bike to Iwata's engineers?

"Yamaha won't follow my test directions. I dot know if it's a mistake or not. The engine must improve because we lose a lot from Marquez in the straight”.