Fabio Quartararo came within +0.019s of secur🍌ing Yamaha’ second Austrian MotoGP pole after Maverick Vinales took their first in 2020.&nbꦆsp;

Quartararo looked poised to claim top spot along with a new lapꦯ record following a first run that saw him go three tenths clear of anyone. 

But with ju🧸st seconds to spare, Martin pipped the French rider with his final attempt after profiting from Johann Zarco' slipstream. 

Still, it’s a qualifying session that once again highlightedꦜ Quartararo’s impressive pace given the Red Bull Ring is one of Yama🍒ha’s worst tracks. 

"Yeah, was something great to be under the 1m🐻 23s in Q2 and actually it was quite funny because when I did the 22.6 I knew it was so fast, but at one stage I said ‘is itꦛ 23.6 or 22.6’ because it was a really fast lap," added Quartararo. 

"We are struggling a lot in sector one, but in sector t♛wo and four I’m feeling really strong with the bi♉ke. 

"Of course, the taste of pole po✱sition in a track that is tough for us would have been great, but I mean the front row is still fantast🌄ic."

It wasn’t just one lap pace where Quartararo was strong either, instead the race pace he showed in FP4 was only bettered💜 by Zarco. 

Tyre🍨 drop off was something Quartararo struggled with during last weekend’s StyrianGP even though he held on for third - but comparing his overall pace and tyre drop off from last Saturday’s FP4 to today’s, Quartararo was able to hold a more consistent rhythm. 

Quar▨tararo said: "In FP4 we showed that our pace was really s♚trong with all tyres; with all rear tyres I felt great. 

"I didn’t feel the drop like the last race. In a race it’s a totally different story I know, but comparing both FP4’s I feel like with the used tyre I was already hav🍌ing a really good pace. 

"I was constantly in 1m 24💧 low in my first run and I think it’s something great for tomorrow’s 🃏race."