Marco Bezzecchi
Fabio Quartararo looks set to join Honda from the 2027 MotoGP season onwards, putting pen to paper on a two-year deal.
The Frenchman was the first to make his move on the MotoGP rider market for the new rules set to come in 2027. He has been threatening to leave Yamaha after years of frustration and underperformance.
Quartararo said he would give Yamaha the opening races of 2026 to convince him that he should stay with the Iwata factory. However, he has now decided to part ways before riding the V4 bike during a race weekend.
Wow! Did you see this one coming?
Quartararo is frustrated with Paolo Pavesio behind the scenes at Yamaha. Since he replaced Lin Jarvis in 2025, he has not been satisfied with his way of working.
Not to mention, he is fed up with the lack of results on underperforming machinery since his title win in 2021. This has led Quartararo down the path to Honda, and test rider Aleix Espargaro has told him exactly what he can expect.
Aleix Espargaro says Honda ‘guarantees’ finding the right formula for Fabio Quartararo
Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, the Honda test rider gave his assessment on the rider market. He talked up his team’s project for Quartararo, highlighting that they will give him the formula to compete.
“You’re not going in blind,” he said. “In the case of Honda, it’s a project that always gives you a lot of guarantees because it’s the biggest factory.
“With the arrival of a new bike, you know you have every chance of trying many new things and that they’ll eventually find the right formula. If, for example, you choose the Ducati project, you know you’re also going to a winning bike and that the foundation will be solid.”
Talking about the rest of the grid, Espargaro added: “With the other projects, it’s true that you might be taking on more risk because they’re somewhat smaller factories.
“In Yamaha’s case, they’re starting with a completely new project. From my point of view, the Honda and Ducati projects are winners.
“Furthermore, I think the bikes will change, but less than we expect. The engines are a bit smaller, and some devices and wings are being eliminated, but the bike that’s competitive now will remain so, and the one that isn’t will have to reinvent itself.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Fabio Quartararo from net worth to career stats
Fabio Quartararo is completely fed up with Yamaha
It has been clear that the 2021 MotoGP champion is losing patience with Yamaha,and pre-season testing at Sepang will not have helped their relationship.
Quartararo crashed on the opening day of the test, breaking a finger in his right hand. When he returned to the track in the afternoon, he suffered engine problems, which led to Yamaha suspending all activity on day two.
Should Yamaha go back to their inline four engine until the V4 is ready?
Quartararo left Malaysia after his injury ruled him out for the rest of the test, meaning he missed the launch event for the 2026 season in Kuala Lumpur, angering Yamaha.
The two parties parting company for 2027 has been inevitable for some time, and a new beginning at Honda could be just what the Frenchman needs to return to the front of the grid.
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