MotoGP’s second visit to Misano provides Monster Energy Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo’s first chance to claim the 2021 crown this weekend.

Quartararo arrives in Italy with a 52 point advantage in the standings and 75 up for grabs over the next three races. If he wins on Sunday, or takes second with title rival Pecco Bagnaia behind him, he will become Champion. The Frenchman is on the edge of history but despite the building pressure, seems still to be taking it all in his stride.

“Yes, of course, feeling really good,” Quartararo said from Thursday’s press conference. “But to be honest, my head is not really on that part of the championship. I think we need to take it like normal race.

“Of course we know that on Sunday can happen something special, but at the moment, I think Friday and Saturday we need to plan like the beginning of the year. Then on Sunday we will see the amount of risk that we will take but Friday and Saturday will be a normal situation for the moment and then we will see what happens.”

The Yamaha rider’s last visit to Misano climaxed with an intense battle to the finish with championship rival Bagnaia, as the Ducati man claimed his second victory in a row. This weekend could see the pair fight once again, so will the Frenchman leave it all on the line or play a more tactical strategy this time out, with the title in mind?

“We will see. It is how I like to race but I’ve never been in that situation,” he admitted. “I think last year I learned a lot, not how to fight for a championship because I didn't have a real chance but to be leader of the championship for many races last year was an important step for my experience and I think this year is much more easy let's say, to have it. So let's see, but at the moment is just a normal race, we will see the risks that we will take on Sunday.”