Marco Bezzecchi
Pramac Racing team boss Paolo Campinoti has revealed his thoughts on Fabio Quartararo’s attitude with Yamaha’s efforts in MotoGP this season, highlighting his wish for the Frenchman to be ‘more grateful’.
Quartararo has been a very vocal figure within the Yamaha garages over the last 12 months as he continues to express his disdain for the Japanese constructor’s prototypes.
He is understood to be on his way to local rivals Honda for MotoGP’s new era of technical regulations next season, but his current qualms continue to be voiced as he looks down the barrel of another 17 race weekends with Yamaha in 2026.
Should Honda be worried about Fabio Quartararo’s mentality in MotoGP?
An exit was always on the cards for the former premier class world champion, with it being reported that Quartararo made his decision to depart from Yamaha before he had even given their 2026 bike a chance during pre-season testing.
As criticism continues to flow from his mouth, Quartararo himself has now drawn the ire of those within Yamaha’s MotoGP stable.
Paolo Campinoti tells Fabio Quartararo to be ‘more grateful’ in critique of the Yamaha star’s attitude
Speaking via Sky Italia, CEO of the Yamaha-backed Pramac Racing outfit, Paolo Campinoti, was asked for his opinion on Quartararo’s attitude with the Japanese constructor amid their struggles in the premier class.
With a move to Honda on the horizon, Quartararo recently admitted that he is now riding ‘for himself’ instead of the team during race weekends.
During his words with the Italian broadcaster, Campinoti explained why the 2021 world champion is ‘wrong’ to take that view on things.
What have you made of Fabio Quartararo’s attitude at Yamaha this season?
Are you sympathetic, or do you feel he's showing a lack of respect?
“He’s very critical at the moment, and when a rider starts off with that attitude, it’s hard to see the positive aspects that might be in the project,” Campinoti said. “For him, everything is negative right now.”
“I think it’ll be difficult to see him – I hope so, but I don’t think it’s possible – in a position to contribute to improvements.
“He’s very negative about everything now, and in my opinion, he’s wrong, because Yamaha are the team that brought him into MotoGP, that helped him win the world championship.
“I think that, despite this difficult and changing period, it would be better if he were a bit more grateful. I believe gratitude is always very important in life. Not having it isn’t a good thing.”
- READ MORE: Fabio Quartararo says Yamaha are yet to fix V4 bike issues that he raised over six months ago
Fabio Quartararo’s Yamaha criticism isn’t expected to go down well at Honda
With both brands involved in Quartararo’s MotoGP future hailing from Japan, they share a very similar culture. One that is very proud and sceptical of public criticism, whether it is warranted or not.
As such, it remains to be seen what Honda make of the Frenchman’s scathing critiques to journalists regarding Yamaha’s recent efforts.
MotoGP expert Ricard Jove predicts they won’t ‘go down well’ with the higher-ups at Sakura, who will be hoping for a quieter version of Quartararo upon his arrival at the team later this year.
Neil Hodgson thinks Yamaha should prevent Quartararo from doing interviews altogether in a bid to stop the 27-year-old from fuelling the flames further around their MotoGP operation.
Of course, with Quartararo being one of the most talented riders on the grid, having him as part of a team comes with its pros and cons.
If Honda can give him a bike that competes at the front of the grid, it could be the start of a resurgence up the pecking order for the Frenchman next year.
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