Quartararo–Yamaha at loggerheads: "There's no point complaining"

Fabio Quartararo has spent his entire MotoGP career with Yamaha. He became world champion in 2021, runner-up the following year, and has won 11 Grands Prix, 21 poles, and 32 podiums. Since 2023 he has been caught in a spiral of negative results, with no victories and only one podium in the last two years. A complicated situation that has sparked quite a few grumbles from the French rider...

In the last three years Yamaha has been unable to provide him with a winning bike. “El Diablo” finished the MotoGP World Championship only 13th, 10th, and 9th. Being one of the highest-paid riders in MotoGP is small consolation, but it doesn’t add to his sporting satisfaction. In 2026 he will continue on the M1, but talks for the next rider market are already underway. The top teams will try to keep their stars Marc Marquez (Ducati), Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha), Pedro Acosta (KTM) and Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia). For a clearer picture we will have to wait until the first half of next season.

In recent months, Quartararo has often spoken disparagingly about his bike. The 26-year-old from Nice put it unequivocally: if he doesn’t have a winning bike by next year, he will switch manufacturers. Statements that did not sit well with the Iwata factory, particularly with sporting director Paolo Pavesio, who nevertheless understands the reasons. “From a human standpoint, I understand the frustration at certain times,” said the Italian manager. “But we are all professionals and we are facing this path together. We offered him the opportunity to race for Yamaha and he accepted,” he told Speedweek.com. “In 2025 we showed we can turn things around.”

In the last MotoGP season Fabio Quartararo significantly reduced the gap to pole position, secured five poles, and started from the front row ten times. Over a single lap the Yamaha M1 made a big leap forward. Certain statements from the French rider don’t go down well... “Complaining too much in public doesn’t help the company’s commitment,” added Paolo Pavesio. “There’s no magic in a mechanical sport.”

The Japanese brand has enlisted new technical personnel to accelerate the prototype’s evolution. But more time and patience are needed. The message is clear: dirty laundry should be washed at home, not in public. “Public complaints are not part of this healthy process. Tough moments are acceptable in every respect, but technically speaking, I believe we hit rock bottom last year. We are more committed than ever in MotoGP and we want to return to the top. That’s how it works, and Yamaha can’t do more. The track is our judge; that’s how it works in racing.”