Fabio Quartararo warned ‘everything will change’ at Yamaha following Toprak Razgatlioglu’s arrival

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Fabio Quartararo is undoubtedly Yamaha’s best rider heading into the 2026 MotoGP season. He has been for some time.

However, he might face a bit of a challenge in the coming years if he opts to remain with the Japanese manufacturer. That’s because they’ve just signed Toprak Razgatlioglu.

He’s a notorious three-time World Superbike champion and is eagerly anticipating his MotoGP debut at the age of 29 in a few months. Yamaha took a plunge, and hopes that it will pay off.

Although he won’t be Quartararo’s teammate, the two will have the same machinery over the next 12 months. Depending on how the MotoGP rider market unfolds, the Frenchman could be gone after.

Quartararo should be convinced to stay at Yamaha if what his new colleague thinks about them is true. Winning could be possible soon.

After discussing the new V4 engine, Razgatlioglu disagrees with Quartararo and doesn’t think it is as bad as it has been made out to be. It has potential.

READ MORE: Yamaha are not listening to Fabio Quartararo behind the scenes with V4 development

Fabio Quartararo warned of ‘change’ in Toprak Razgatlioglu at Yamaha when Pirelli tyres arrive

Quartararo is now open to joining a satellite MotoGP team, which wasn’t the case before. It was something he seemed quite against.

However, it might not be the bike which ends up being his biggest worry in 2027. An incoming tyre change could end up suiting Razgatlioglu and challenging his status as Yamaha’s number one.

“He’s a very intelligent and aware rider,” Marco Melandri told GPOne. “I’m of the opinion that he won’t want to overdo it, but take one more step at a time to understand everything around him.

“In 2027, however, everything will change. Pirelli will arrive, and I think Toprak will be there in front to bother Quartararo to be the best Yamaha on the track.”

Yamaha have faced ‘setbacks’ with the V4, but they can’t be expected to work miracles overnight when they haven’t performed for three years.

It’s going to take time, and if that means losing Quartararo, then it may end up being the best decision for the programme in the long term.

READ MORE: Yamaha plot all-new line-up for 2027 with Fabio Quartararo gone and Toprak Razgatlioglu promoted

Which teams might Fabio Quartararo join in 2027?

Aprilia have moved for Quartararo, and there’s a small chance that he could join the Italian team’s operations alongside Marco Bezzecchi or Jorge Martin.

However, it’s tough to say whether their recent improvements are something that can be sustained. 2027 is a new challenge altogether.

Moving to Ducati feels like the best option to win now, but a factory seat might not be open if they keep Marc Marquez and pursue Pedro Acosta.

That leaves a Gresini or VR46 ride up for grabs, but the latter could be negotiating a deal with Aprilia anyway. It’s why the new silly season is going to be very entertaining.