Petronas SRT Yamaha rider Fabio Quartararo said that he took experience racing against Maverick Vinales and Marc Marquez as the rookie secured back-to-back MotoGP podiums in Assen.

Starting from pole, the Frenchman enjoyed one of his best starts in his short MotoGP career and after a few laps found himself leading a MotoGP race for the first time.

Whilst he couldn’t hold on to take his first win, Quartararo said that he was happy to secure another podium and took plenty of experience away from racing two of the best on the grid.

“First of all a great feeling. The first laps were much better than the first races of the season,” said the 20-year-old.

“Amazing feeling to lead my first laps in a MotoGP race, but in the middle of the race I couldn’t handle the bike and then when Maverick and Marc overtake me, I said we need to think how far is the second group, and hope to get the podium today, and we managed very well. I’m really happy about this race.

“I was riding quite well, just the mistakes in exit of corner five, but all the weekend we were fast.

“I was checking data with Maverick and with Yamaha riders and I think all the weekend we took a lot of experience and also to see how they take corner five at the end I say I am stupid, the bike is shaking all the race, and when I take the outside it was much better, so again a good race for us.”

One of the things in which Quartararo said he benefitted from racing against the Spaniards was coming onto the back straight. Whilst leading Quartararo was having real issues with the front end of his YZR-M1 shaking as he battled the wind. Quartararo did explain that their positioning on the track helped him in the closing stages.

“It was a little bit my fault also because when I was behind Maverick and Marc I see that I tried to be even more on the inside but the bike was moving even more,” he said.

“Then I saw they go on the outside and it was much better. I think it was a combination of the wind and me doing the wrong line and this stage.

“On the last laps I was going on the outside and the bike was much more stable. We took experience and good to see how they ride.”