Yamaha has officially responded to Fabio Quartararo’s criticisms and his stated intention to cease assisting the manufacturer in MotoGP, calling the French rider to order over his public behavior.
The impending split between Fabio Quartararo and Yamaha has reached a new level of tension following the Aragon Grand Prix weekend. Amid a disappointing performance from the Frenchman, public frictions have further eroded the bond between the rider and the manufacturer who have collaborated for eight years.
Quartararo began the weekend by complaining about being treated like a mere test rider with components he believed offered minimal benefit. With his departure from the team scheduled in three months, he openly admitted to a lack of motivation, emphasizing that he had no desire to contribute to the development of Yamaha’s 2027 motorcycle, citing “personal reasons” which he later elaborated on.
“I don’t know if I’m allowed to say this, but I’m going to say it anyway: I wanted to participate in the Austrian tests, but unfortunately, Yamaha does not want me to ride with the Pirelli tyres,” Quartararo stated over the weekend, reiterating that he has “no desire to develop the bike for the 2027 riders.”
He reinforced this sentiment after finishing last in Sunday’s race: “I knew this weekend would be difficult, and I didn’t take anything positive from it. I intend to understand what went wrong, but I will stop trying a hundred different things over a single weekend.”
These ongoing difficulties highlight a lingering, unresolved issue: the decision to transition to a V4 engine. Yamaha intended to introduce this V4 powerplant as early as 2026, a move that apparently went against Quartararo’s preferences.
“The relationship had already become somewhat complicated prior to this, particularly due to discussions regarding which bike to use in 2026,” Quartararo explained, as quoted by L’Equipe. “For me, the choice was clear: we had to stick with the inline-four. Yamaha ultimately decided to proceed with the V4, which was difficult to accept.”
Yamaha’s response
Toprak Razgatlioglu, Pramac Racing, Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Photo by: Burak Akbulut / Anadolu via Getty Images
Regardless of how this internal dispute was handled behind the scenes, a clear turning point has been reached in the relationship between the rider and his manufacturer. Quartararo’s evident lack of motivation during the Spanish weekend was poorly received by Yamaha’s upper management.
Paolo Pavesio, Executive Director of Yamaha Motor Racing, pointed out the Frenchman’s lack of “objectivity” while defending the effectiveness of the new components provided to him.
“Fabio regularly complains that we are not developing the bike, yet when we ask him to test new parts, he criticizes us for it, claiming he loses his way,” the Italian told L’Equipe. “He lacks a degree of objectivity. Of course, we are not yet at the level we desire, but like our competitors, we are striving to move forward.”
Regarding the upcoming test in two weeks at the Red Bull Ring—designed to develop future tyre specifications—Massimo Meregalli noted that Yamaha has not treated Quartararo any differently from other riders transitioning to new teams.
“We will be utilizing Toprak Razgatlioglu and, most certainly, Izan Guevara for the Austrian test, as they will both be riding with us next year,” the Yamaha factory team director told L’Equipe, referring to the Pramac rookie and the team’s newly signed rider for 2027.
“All manufacturers whose riders are parting ways have made this same decision. Jorge Martin and Ai Ogura will not test the Aprilia, Bagnaia will not test the Ducati, Acosta will not test the KTM, and we will not allow Jack Miller to test our 850cc either…”
Meregalli delivered a direct message to Quartararo by holding up Miller as a role model: “Fabio should follow Jack’s example. He always gives his absolute best and ensures that, even under difficult circumstances, team morale remains high.”
