Fabio Quartararo says Yamaha have absolutely ‘no idea’ how to fix his MotoGP bike

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Fabio Quartararo says he is ‘riding for the sake of riding’, with Yamaha at a loss as to how to improve his bike. The 2021 world champion finished outside the points at the United States GP on Sunday.

Quartararo was uncharacteristically beaten by the satellite duo of Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jack Miller as he crossed the line in 17th place. Only teammate Alex Rins finished behind him on the road.

El Diablo was over half a second adrift of the time he needed to make Q2 and also failed to score in the Sprint (P11). After the first three rounds, he sits 17th in the championship with just six points.

Fabio Quartararo ‘can’t find anything positive’ at Yamaha right now

Yamaha expected a steep development curve this year after switching to a V4 engine, and the upcoming Spanish GP at Jerez tends to mark the start of MotoGP upgrade season.

But speaking to the media after the US GP, Quartararo said Yamaha have ‘no idea’ what they need to do to improve the bike. He was by far the brand’s top rider last season but even that status is now threatened as he loses his ‘feeling’ on the bike.

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Quartararo has consistently given bleak verdicts on Yamaha in his media appearances. He is expected to leave the team at the end of the season to join rivals Honda.

“The problem isn’t that I’m waiting for them to do something, it’s that they have no idea what they can do,” he said, via AutoHebdo. “I really don’t feel good on the bike.

“The others feel a little better, not Alex, but Jack and Toprak. I really don’t feel good on the bike, I’m pushing, but I have no feeling. I’m riding for the sake of riding, I’m racing to try and do my best, but I can’t find anything positive.”

Fabio Quartararo hits eight-year low at the United States Grand Prix

Quartararo hasn’t finished consecutive races outside the points since 2018, when he was still a Moto2 rider. He has hit a new low in the premier class.

Last year, he was able to score five pole positions before falling back in the races due to a power deficit. But the 2026 M1 lacks the few redeeming characteristics of its predecessor and is fundamentally slow.

After the Brazilian GP, Quartararo said ‘80%’ of Yamaha’s problems were engine-related. By the time they wipe out their horsepower deficit and break through their low ceiling, he may be long gone.

Indeed, there is a school of thought that Quartararo just wants to get to Honda without any injuries, so may not take his usual risks for the remainder of the season.