French youngster Fabio Quartararo will make the step up to the intermediate class next season with the Pons team, it has been confirmed.
Quartararo came into the Moto3 World Championship last season having built up quite a reputation during his time in the CEV Repsol Championship. A double champion of the series, Quartararo’s move into Moto3 with Estrella Galicia Honda was a hyped one indeed.
The Frenchman impressed early on, taking his first podium finish in just his second race at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas. Another podium followed in Assen, though his season took a backwards step when he was injured in a crash at Misano.
Moving over to the Leopard team for 2016, it was expected that Quartararo would be a championship contender. But the switch from Honda machinery to KTM has proven difficult for Quartararo, his season not helped by some woeful luck.
With it thought that Moto2 should suit the ever-growing Quartararo more so than Moto3, he will have to perform pretty quickly. The Frenchman will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Alex Rins and Maverick Vinales, riders who were plucked from the lightweight class by the Pons team and were winning races in their rookie seasons.
“I’m very proud to form part of Pagnias Amarillas HP 40 next season. To have the opportunity to work with Sito (Pons, Team Principal) and his team is a dream come true,” said Quartararo.
“I’m sure this new category will suit my riding style perfectly. It’s a very competitive category and I know how hard we have to work to reach the top. I want to thank Sito for his confidence in me and the opportunity to become part of such a prestigious team.”
Quartararo will take the place of Alex Rins, who will step up to the MotoGP World Championship in 2017 with Suzuki. He’ll join fellow Moto2 chargers Sam Lowes, Johann Zarco and Jonas Folger in moving to the premier class.
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