Autosport Plus

How Quartararo won the first battle of MotoGP's 2020 title race

Marc Marquez has already singled out Fabio Quartararo as a rival he will have to beat to win the MotoGP world title again in 2020. One moment during last weekend's round in Malaysia stood out as the first warning shot in that fight

It's 3.35pm at a sweltering Sepang circuit, and Marc Marquez has just latched onto the back of the charging Fabio Quartararo as the first flying laps of the 15-minute second qualifying session for the MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix get underway.

Rookie sensation Quartararo has been on fine form all weekend. Still hobbling about the paddock from his bruising time at Phillip Island, where he crashed heavily in FP1 and was wiped out in the race, he smashed Dani Pedrosa's 2015 Sepang lap record twice during Friday practice. Despite the added responsibility of this being the home race of SRT title sponsor Petronas and its patriotic Malaysian fans, the 20-year-old has shown no signs of buckling from pressure as heavy as the oppressive heat that envelopes the circuit.

Share Or Save This Story

Author Lewis Duncan

Lewis Duncan is Autosport's International Editor and primary motorcycle racing reporter. A motorsport fan from a young age, Lewis became interested in journalism when he won the star letter competition in the February 2012 issue of F1 Racing Magazine. A member of the Autosport Academy from 2017, Lewis became a freelance motorcycle racing correspondent for Autosport in 2019 before becoming a full-time staffer in 2020 as International Editor.

While MotoGP coverage is his priority, Lewis also covers World Superbikes and road racing across the Motorsport Network, and hosts the Tank Slappers Podcast. He has also occasionally commentated on 750 Motor Club meetings. Away from motorsport, Lewis is a keen record collector with a collection unashamedly largely featuring Iron Maiden and Rush and an avid guitar player.