Marco Bezzecchi
Amidst some brilliant performances, Fabio Quartararo has had a pretty frustrating 2025 MotoGP season with Yamaha.
Since winning the title in 2021, the 26-year-old has struggled to find consistency as Yamaha have regressed in performance. He has been growing increasingly frustrated, with Quartararo even asking for a ‘number one sticker’ to be removed as he does not want to think about the past.
Pre-season testing suggested that Yamaha had made steps forward with the YZR-M1, and their star rider has proven that in moments this season. Quartararo is the only rider besides Marc Marquez to secure a pole position, grabbing four so far this season, including three in a row from Jerez to Silverstone.
Quartararo has been making a crucial ‘difference’ on Saturday, but has not been able to capitalise on Sunday. The Frenchman finished second at Jerez before suffering retirements at Le Mans, Silverstone and Aragon – the first two races from pole.
The British GP was destined to be a victory for the 2021 MotoGP champion, but a failure with the ride height device caused a heartbreaking DNF. Since those three consecutive retirements, the Yamaha rider has struggled for results as he calls for desperate changes.
Fabio Quartararo has made it ‘clear’ he will decide after the first three or four races of 2026 whether to stay at Yamaha
Quartararo warned Yamaha could ‘get lost’ at Mugello, and that is exactly what happened as he could only manage 14th. He was beaten on track by Pramac rider Miguel Oliveira for the first time this season.
At Assen, Quartararo was optimistic for the ‘first time’ before a race, and he seemed to be vindicated after securing pole. However, once again, he failed to capitalise as he crashed in the Sprint and dropped to 10th in the Grand Prix.
Quartararo is contracted to Yamaha until 2026, but he has made it ‘clear’ that he wants a winning project. The manufacturer have begun testing the new V4 prototype, which, as per a report from Mowmag, is a ‘completely redesigned bike, not a simple evolution of the M1’.
The Frenchman wants to see it on the track ‘as early as the end of this season’, and Yamaha will be under pressure to ensure that it is a competitive package. Quartararo has made it clear that he will decide ‘after three or four races in 2026’ whether to stay on board with the project.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Fabio Quartararo from net worth to career stats
Carlo Pernat felt Fabio Quartararo could stay at Yamaha ‘forever’ – he is now considering his future
Quartararo has been with Yamaha since he joined MotoGP back in 2019. He has shown great loyalty to the Japanese manufacturer; they will be desperate to keep him heading into the new regulations in 2027.
But it is now becoming clear that the Frenchman’s anger towards their lack of performance is starting to become unbearable. Carlo Pernat predicted Quartararo would stay with Yamaha ‘forever’, having had opportunities to leave in the past.
However, the 26-year-old may look elsewhere if the new V4 project is unsuccessful. Yamaha have been putting significant time and resources into the new machine and will be under pressure to ensure that their star rider can compete on it.
With MotoGP contracts typically lasting two years, in theory, Quartararo has every seat available to him for 2027. With his performances this season and his known talent in the premier class, he will certainly not be short of admirers if he becomes available.
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