Algarve MotoGP: Quartararo dismisses possibility of changing to #1 plate

New MotoGP World Champion Fabio Quartararo has dismissed any notion that he could swap to the #1 plate next season; ‘We will not see this number because I started with the #20 and I feel like I’m not number one’.
Fabio Quartararo , Algarve MotoGP. 4 November 2021
Fabio Quartararo , Algarve MotoGP. 4 November 2021
© Gold and Goose Photography

Despite winning the 2021 MotoGP World Championshi༺p, Fabio Quartararo doesn’t feel like the number one rider and ꦉtherefore won’t change to the #1 plate in 2022. 

In fact, Quartararo has decided against using the number - last used by Casey St🦋o𝔉ner in 2012, at any point in his career.

"We will not see this number because I started with the #20 and I fee🐠l like I’m not number one,” said theܫ new world champion," said Quartararo. 

"I will keep going wiಌth the #20 until the end of my career because it’s the💟 number that made me really want to start when I was four. It’s a really special number."

With the riders’ title n𒈔ow in the bag for Quartararo, Yamaha could become the first manufacturer to complete a triple crown since Repsol Honda managed the feat in 2♍019. 

For that to happen, Quartara💦ro claiming a second win of the year at Portimao would go a long way, however, the Frenchman is likely to need help from other Yamaha riders as Ducati lead the manufacturers championship by 12 points - one point less than the advantage Yamaha holds over them in the teams’ title. 

But despite Yamaha relying h💛eavily on Quartararo’s shoulders for this to happen, the 22 year-old feels no pressure after already achieving his personal goal. 

Quartararo added: "Honestly, I won’t say it’s pressure because I already achieved my goal. But I will give my best and of course, I🧸 come here to fight for the victory, for 🎃the podium, but it’s something I can’t really control. 

"I will give my best but we will see the fiꦿnal result. It would be nice to make that (triple crown) and to see if we can achieve it."

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