Eurosport's Future Stars for 2016: Fabio Quartararo

Nominated by Eurosport’s head of motorsports, Gernot Bauer, who said: “Fabio Quartararo is the one to watch in motorcycle racing. The young Frenchman took the sport extremely seriously from an early age and went to live and ride in Spain so that he could compete against the best.

“He saw success immediately, winning the sought-after 2013 FIM Moto3 CEV title in his first season at the age of just 14. He followed this up with a second CEV title the following year which, as a feeder competition directly into the Moto3 World Championship, underlined his massive potential and made it clear that he was ready to make that step up.

“Before Quartararo emerged, riders were required to be at least 16 to compete in the top Moto3 division. However, given his extraordinary back-to-back championship wins, he was granted an exception and made his debut at Moto3’s highest level in the 2015 season, aged 15. Under huge pressure to perform after his special dispensation, dubbed the ‘Quartararo Rule’ by many, the French teenager was competitive from the off. In his first season he secured two pole positions and two podium finishes.

“With those around him praising his determined, hard-working attitude and his ability to learn, his aggressive riding style reminiscent of Marc Marquez will make him a serious title contender for the 2016 Moto3 World Championship title and a likely hot shot for MotoGP in the not-too-distant future.”