Marco Bezzecchi
Fabio Quartararo is set to be one of the major players in the 2027 MotoGP rider market, as rumours about his Yamaha future continue to grow.
Before the MotoGP Test at Sepang, reports emerged that Fabio Quartararo may be set to leave Yamaha at the end of the 2026 season.
It would bring an end to an eight-year partnership between the French rider and the Japanese manufacturer after he joined them in 2019.
The Frenchman’s frustrations with Yamaha have become clear as their new V4 engine did not live up to his expectations at the Valencia and Sepang MotoGP Tests. With the lack of positives heading into 2026, and the new regulations in 2027, it now appears that Quartararo has seen enough and will jump ship.
Quartararo’s destination for 2027 is reportedly Honda, as it has been suggested that Quartararo has signed a deal with the Honda factory team.
Wow! Did you see this one coming?
READ MORE: Everything to know about Fabio Quartararo from net worth to career stats
Johann Zarco believes ‘he should go to a European brand’
At the Sepang Test, fellow French rider Johann Zarco was interviewed by Fastlane TV and was asked for his thoughts on the rumours surrounding Quartararo.
The 35-year-old, who has raced for both Japanese and European manufacturers during his time in MotoGP, suggested Quartararo should join a European manufacturer, rather than Honda.
However, he also believes that Quartararo would be successful if he decided to sign with Honda, due to the information the Japanese manufacturer is gaining for the new MotoGP regulations in 2027.
Zarco said, “I don’t know, sometimes we get surprises. I would not have thought he would have been interested in another Japanese brand.
“I tell myself if Fabio wants a change, he should go to a European brand, because he has been so passionate about Yamaha. It is true that it is the same Japanese mentality, but it is not the same bike.
“I think it is good, because Fabio is a top rider, and if he gets on the Honda I think he will ride very well. In my opinion, the bike could also be very good in 2027 because everything is new. With all the work we have done, we are taking information for 2027, even if the project is new.
“We don’t know which bike will be the best, with a bit of luck, it will be the Honda. So, it could be really cool!”
Fabio Quartararo has been labelled as ‘fantastic’ by Honda boss
At the Sepang Test, HRC Team Manager Alberto Puig was questioned about the rumours surrounding his team and Quartararo.
Although the Spaniard stated that his priority is his current MotoGP rider line-up of Joan Mir and Luca Marini, Puig went on to label Quartararo as fantastic.
Honda does not currently have any riders signed to their factory squad for the 2027 season, but the Japanese manufacturer has been making rapid progress with their RC213V.
After a difficult 2024 season, Honda made drastic changes in 2025 and claimed a race win and three further podiums with Zarco and Mir throughout the year.
The 2026 tests were a positive start to the year for Honda as Mir found himself inside the top five on the timesheets at the end of the three-day test at the Sepang International Circuit.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
