– When Formula 1 and MotoGP do not hold a Grand Prix on the same weekend, drivers regularly visit the other paddock. For example, Isack Hadjar waved the checkered flag in Le Mans.
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Kimi Antonelli attended the MotoGP race in Mugello. In the Aprilia garage, there was a hug with Marco Bezzecchi, as they get along well off the track too. Antonelli also waved the checkered flag in Mugello.
Conversely, in the first half of the season, some MotoGP riders visited the Formula 1 race in Barcelona. Marc Marquez was only present on Friday in the Audi garage. The TV graphic labeled him as a “former MotoGP rider”.
He took this Formula 1 production slip-up with humor. However, switching to the top class on four wheels after his MotoGP career is out of the question for Marquez.
“I know there has already been a former MotoGP rider in Formula 1, but no, I mean, if you want to be competitive on four wheels, you can be good, you can be okay.”
“But if you really want to be competitive – I mean, I have great respect for all Formula 1 drivers, and that is impossible,” Marquez considers it unrealistic that he could reach the necessary level.
“Maybe a race for fun in another category, in lower categories, you never know. Why not?”, he keeps that option open for his time after MotoGP. “But never in Formula 1, because the level is super high.”
Quartararo compares the two paddocks
Fabio Quartararo also visited Formula 1 in Barcelona in mid-June. According to him, there are big differences between the two paddocks: “There is a lot. I mean, of course, the Formula 1 budget is not the same as in MotoGP.”
“Formula 1 is of course much more exclusive. You also see the difference between Formula 2 and Formula 3, which are outside.” Because the support series are not in the same paddock in Formula 1.
In MotoGP, the Moto2 and Moto3 classes remain in the same paddock. Considerations to place the smaller classes outside MotoGP were already discarded last year.
Photo gallery: MotoGP star Valentino Rossi up close with Formula 1
Since the Formula 1 paddock is more enclosed and exclusive, Quartararo has the impression that it is quieter there. This is especially more relaxing for the drivers than the somewhat hectic MotoGP paddock.
“So for the driver, of course. I talked with Lando in the middle of the paddock, that was pretty nice. You are more relaxed, you are not in a hurry with a scooter or something like that.”
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“So, it’s nice, but you know, I think they are two different worlds, and I also enjoy it here,” Quartararo says about his comparison between the two paddocks.
Quartararo dreams of an F1 test, he has already been in the simulator
Marquez has already been allowed to test a Formula 1 car once. In summer 2018, Red Bull enabled him to do this test in Spielberg. Jorge Lorenzo drove the 2014 world champion Mercedes in 2016.
Valentino Rossi participated in real Formula 1 test sessions 20 years ago and had the opportunity to switch to Ferrari but decided against it. He was later allowed to drive a Formula 1 car again.
At the end of 2019, there was a spectacular role swap. In Valencia, Rossi got into the Mercedes, while Lewis Hamilton was allowed to ride the MotoGP Yamaha. Sponsor Monster Energy made this possible at the time.
In recent years, there have been talks with Monster Energy that Quartararo could also drive the Mercedes. Although preparations were underway, it ultimately never happened.
“I mean, we had a deal, but we never really implemented it,” regrets the 2021 MotoGP world champion. “But I went into the simulator, and I wasn’t that bad.”
“I did 60 laps in Silverstone in the simulator, and I was 2.2 seconds behind Bottas. So, it wasn’t that bad,” Quartararo finds. “So that’s something I want to do in life. And we will organize something.”
Whether he will ever get this chance remains to be seen. But Quartararo has good connections to Formula 1: “I have a really great relationship with Isack. We also often talk via FaceTime and so on.”
“Of course, I also have a really great relationship with other drivers, with Lando, with Lewis, with Pierre, with Charles, but Isack is the one I get along best with.”
So far, only one driver has managed to become both motorcycle and Formula 1 world champion: John Surtees. In 1956, the Brit won the 500cc class. Between 1958 and 1960, Surtees was world champion in the 500cc and 350cc classes. He rode for MV Agusta for all world titles. In 1964, Surtees became Formula 1 world champion with Ferrari.
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