Marco Bezzecchi
Fabio Quartararo has strongly denied that he was behind Francesco Bagnaia’s decision not to join Yamaha in 2027.
The MotoGP media is in agreement that Bagnaia is joining Aprilia next year after Ducati decided to replace him with Pedro Acosta.
Meanwhile, Quartararo’s time at Yamaha is coming to a rather awkward end. News of the Frenchman’s impending move to Honda was the first bombshell in this year’s rider market.
Which MotoGP rider has made the best move for 2027 so far?
Bagnaia to Aprilia? Acosta to Ducati? Quartararo to Honda? Let us know!
Fabio Quartararo: ‘People write things without knowing’
In an interview with Moto IT, Quartararo was asked whether he had spoken to Bagnaia about his future.
“No,” he said. “I talk to Bagnaia, but it would be like me going to a rider from another brand to ask for advice about my future. It doesn’t make sense. And it’s not true.”
Yamaha were interested in Bagnaia after losing Quartararo, but the 2021 world champion has shot down a rumour that he advised against the move.
He said: “And thanks for the question! This isn’t true, and people write things without knowing, and think that Bagnaia didn’t go to Yamaha because of me, and that’s not true.”
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?
Yamaha are signing Jorge Martin, which ironically opened up the Aprilia spot for Bagnaia. The second seat will go to Trackhouse rider Ai Ogura.
Quartararo has been strongly critical of Yamaha in the press this season, with the Japanese manufacturer almost certain to finish bottom of the constructors’ standings for the second year in a row.
Despite being the brand’s lead rider, Quartararo is currently on course for a 14th-place finish, which would be his worst in the premier class. He has failed to score points in three out of seven races so far.
During the Mugello weekend, where he was 14th in the Sprint and 18th in the Grand Prix, Quartararo said his priority was ‘staying fit’ at this stage because ‘there’s nothing to hope for’ on track in the short term. He described Yamaha as ‘completely lost’.
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