Marco Bezzecchi
Giacomo Agostini has expressed surprise at Yamaha’s ongoing MotoGP struggles given the size of the company. The Japanese manufacturer look almost certain to finish bottom of the constructors’ championship for the second straight season.
Fabio Quartararo won the world championship for Yamaha in 2021 but his victory at the German GP the following summer remains their most recent MotoGP success. Since the start of 2023, the factory team has scored just three podiums in 63 starts.
In an attempt to arrest the trend, they scrapped their inline four engine in favour of a V4. Yamaha are ’15 years’ behind their rivals with this technology and don’t expect to be competitive in the midfield until the second half of the 2026 season.
Where does Fabio Quartararo rank among Yamaha’s greatest riders?
Giacomo Agostini says MotoGP needs a competitive Yamaha to be ‘great’
Speaking to Moto IT, Agostini said Quartararo ‘could fight for the world championship’ again with better equipment. The Frenchman, who is reportedly joining Honda for 2027, scored five pole positions last season despite the limitations of the M1.
Agostini says Yamaha should be a force in the premier class given the resources at their disposal, but the balance of power in the sport appears to have shifted towards Europe.
“I’m surprised that such a large company, so technologically strong, can’t produce a competitive bike. Quartararo, for me, is a very strong rider; he could fight for the world championship, but right now the bike doesn’t allow him.
- READ MORE: Johann Zarco explains why Fabio Quartararo would be ‘really fast’ on a Honda amid Yamaha exit claims
“They’re working hard, and I’m confident because it’s a very large company – I don’t know, but I think Yamaha makes 20,000 bikes a day. So the technology and economic power are there. I hope he comes back, also for the spectacle.”
Agostini also noted that Honda are ‘struggling’. While the sport’s most successful team have made clear progress recently, climbing up to Rank C in the concessions system, they haven’t won a dry race since the 2021 Emilia Romagna GP.
“It’s the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer, and it’s struggling,” said Agostini. “This shows that our Italian technicians are truly excellent. It’s right to see Ducati, Aprilia, KTM, Yamaha, and Honda all competitive: that’s what makes this championship great.”
‘There’s too much technology today’ – Giacomo Agostini welcomes 2027 MotoGP rule changes
In the same interview, Agostini was also asked about the 2027 MotoGP rule changes, which will see recent aerodynamic innovations scaled back and ride-height devices banned.
The Italian, who won eight premier-class titles, says this is a step in the right direction from a purist’s perspective. The rider will now play a greater role in determining lap time.
“I’ve been pushing for some change for a while now,” he said. “There’s too much technology today. I’d like the rider to have more power, and for victory to be more down to the rider and not the technology.
Is Giacomo Agostini right? Should MotoGP ban wings entirely?
“Today, they push a button and everything goes down. Once upon a time, it was the wrist. I’d give more value to the rider, and I hope that with the new regulations, we’ll get back to that.”
Aprilia have recently introduced an F-Duct in one of the most striking developments the sport has seen for years. Some have celebrated the engineering achievement, but Agostini has railed against the increasing complexity.
He said: “Airplanes have wings, not motorcycles. They shouldn’t be on racing bikes.”
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
