Fabio Quartararo says Yamaha test was ‘nothing special’ as he predicts more ‘suffering’ in Brazil

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Fabio Quartararo has offered another bleak verdict on Yamaha’s prospects ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix this weekend. Quartararo led the M1 quartet in Thailand with a P14 finish.

Yamaha had already accepted that they would struggle at the start of 2026 after switching from an inline four engine to a V4. There is hope that they can be more competitive later in the year, perhaps after the summer break.

But while their riders tried to brace themselves, the reality has not been easy to accept, particularly for Quartararo, who won the world championship with the team in 2021.

Finish the sentence, Fabio Quartararo’s best result in 2026 will be…

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Fabio Quartararo says ‘no track can help us’

Speaking to outlets including GPOne on Thursday, Quartararo dismissed any hope that Yamaha would benefit from the novelty of the Goiania circuit. If the grip levels are low or the forecast rain arrives, it could theoretically be an equaliser.

Like the rest of the manufacturers, Yamaha tested in Jerez during the gap between the races. Toprak Razgatlioglu was the only full-time MotoGP rider in attendance.

The test was predominantly geared towards 2027 Pirelli-tyre development, but Razgatlioglu also had access to Michelin tyres. Quartararo still isn’t expecting an improvement as a result, adding that the bike has no clear strengths at this stage.

He said: “The answer is simple. The reality is that no track can help us, because they’ll all be difficult, so being in Brazil doesn’t change anything.

“I don’t think the situation will be any different than in Buriram. Yamaha tested in Jerez, but nothing special was tested. Therefore, I don’t think the situation has improved.

“The sensations are the same for everyone, there’s no single point where we’re strong. We’re trying to understand how the bike works better, maybe making some changes, but the sensations are the same.

‘I’m happy outside of racing’ – Fabio Quartararo on his state of mind at Yamaha

Asked if there was ‘something positive’ about travelling to a new country, Quartararo said: “I’m happy outside of racing. I really like Brazil, it’s always a pleasure to be here, knowing that we’ll have to suffer, and that’s the reality.”

Brazil hasn’t been on the MotoGP calendar since 2004, while Goiania last featured in 1989.

One pundit suggested this week that Quartararo just wants to get Honda in one piece amid strong rumours that he has signed for Yamaha’s Japanese rivals ahead of 2027. One can sense a degree of resignation in his comments.

Yamaha cancelled their rider interviews after the first race in Thailand, partly because they feared ‘a big mess’ if a frustrated Quartararo vented his true feelings in the media. Based on his Thursday comments, even the lengthy break has failed to restore any optimism.