Fabio Quartararo insists the disappointing efficiency of this 12 months’s new Yamaha V4 is not going to smash his “story” with the Japanese producer.
The Frenchman has been a Yamaha rider all through his MotoGP profession and shortly proved to be aggressive upon his debut with the satellite tv for pc Petronas SRT crew in 2019.
Quartararo took his first victory in MotoGP the next 12 months and changed Valentino Rossi within the manufacturing facility crew in 2021, the place he instantly secured the title.
Nevertheless, the wins dried up within the second half of 2022, and regardless of remaining Yamaha’s standout rider, Quartararo has solely completed on the Grand Prix podium 4 occasions because the begin of 2023.
Fabio Quartararo, 2026 Hungarian MotoGP.
© Gold & Goose
When Yamaha introduced its new V4-engined machine, which Quartararo first drove, final September, expectations had been excessive.
Nevertheless, Quartararo has brazenly complained about his lack of progress and is alleged to have signed a 2027 contract with Honda earlier than the beginning of this season.
Quartararo achieved V4’s finest end result with back-to-back top-six finishes at Le Mans and Catalunya, however arrived in Hungary after a meaningless weekend at Mugello.
“I am not happy with the development of the bike. It is the identical because it was in September 2025,” he mentioned. “From the primary prototype to now, I anticipated to make nice progress, and we’re nonetheless there.”
Quartararo listed an extended record of the bike’s shortcomings: “Grip. And turning, prime velocity, acceleration, aerodynamics…”
The Frenchman added that he had not seen any “response” from Yamaha.
“Already, we began a bit bit late when it comes to V4, and if I had been of their footwear, after all they must put together[850cc bikes]for subsequent 12 months as nicely,” he mentioned. “So I don’t assume we’ll see any response this 12 months.”
Fabio Quartararo, 2026 Hungarian MotoGP.
© Gold & Goose
“I’ll at all times be grateful.”
On condition that bleak state of affairs, is there a hazard that this season might “smash” the tip of Quartararo and Yamaha’s story?
“Nicely, in any case, it is already been like that for the previous couple of years,” Quartararo replied. “So I don’t assume it should spoil our story as a result of I’ll at all times be… grateful. I’ll at all times be grateful to Yamaha for what they’ve performed for us.”
“After all, the final two years have not been the most effective we have had collectively, however I do not assume six months will change our relationship.
“It is simply going to be an extended interval (of six months), however our relationship will not change.”
A lot of the 2027 MotoGP rider offers have but to be formally introduced, however Quartararo’s Yamaha seat shall be crammed by one other former champion, Jorge Martin.
Quartararo completed the Hungarian weekend with no factors, battling rear grip issues and receiving two long-lap penalties on the straight chicane, forcing him to retire from the Grand Prix.
