The Yamaha rider long predicted Aragon to be one of the toughest races of the year for him, having typically struggled for form at the Spanish venue.
Despite showing strong race pace in FP4 – which has convinced Quartararo that he is strong enough “to fight for the victory” – the 2021 world champion could only manage sixth in qualifying to languish eight tenths adrift of poleman and chief title rival Francesco Bagnaia's Ducati.
