Quartararo: Expectations are high

With two victories from two pole positions, Fabio Quartararo leads the MotoGP standings with a perfect 50 points heading into this weekend's Czech Republic Grand Prix.

The Frenchman's first premier-class wins, also the first for the Petronas team, were delivered in stunning style at Jerez.

But on paper, Quartararo will face a tougher challenge to make it three in a row at Brno.

Only one Yamaha rider, Jorge Lorenzo in 2015, has taken victory at the track in the past nine years. Last year's race ended without an M1 even featuring in the top five.

Quartararo finished in seventh as a rookie on a lower spec bike last year, but is confident of fighting for the podium on Sunday.

"Brno is a track that I really like. We know from last year that we can be fast there and that we have the performance, even if it is not the best place for our bike," Quartararo said.

"There are a lot of great corners that make up the circuit but the last corner is one of the best. You have to go in with a lot of corner speed but also prepare to take the perfect line for the straight.

"It’s great to be going there after taking two wins and we’re looking at fighting for the podium this weekend. Our expectations are high and I can’t wait!"

Quartararo currently holds a ten-point championship lead over Monster Yamaha's Maverick Vinales and 24-point advantage over Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso.

Brno is set to offer all three the chance to gain more points on reigning champion Marc Marquez, with the Repsol Honda star unlikely to ride due to further surgery on his broken arm.

Update: Marc Marquez officially withdraws from Brno.

Meanwhile, Quartararo's team-mate Franco Morbidelli is currently tenth in the championship, due to an engine problem while in contention for a first MotoGP podium in Andalucia.

"My expectations for Brno are high, especially as it’s a circuit that I really like. In fact, I think it’s one of the best on the calendar! It’s a very old-style track as it’s long, wide, technical and fast," said the Italian.

"Looking at the level that we had in Jerez, we are expecting good things this weekend. I’ve also had some good results there in the past. Of course, this year we’ve got to be better and improve our record there.

"I think we will have some good battles and I’m looking forward to going there, with the aim of finishing in the top-five."

Morbidelli has now taken a best MotoGP finish of fifth place on five occasions, including at the Jerez season-opener.