Fabio Quartararo has announced he will no longer help Yamaha develop its MotoGP bike, citing personal reasons and frustration with the team’s refusal to let him test Pirelli tyres. The 2021 world champion, who has signed with Honda for 2027, made his stance clear during the Aragon Grand Prix weekend. He stated he would stop pushing for improvements during races and would not act as a test rider for Yamaha’s 2027 package.
Quartararo’s frustration stems from Yamaha’s decision to block his participation in Pirelli tyre tests at Brno and Austria, despite these sessions being planned for current riders preparing for next season. He confirmed Yamaha explicitly told him he would not be allowed to ride on the tyres in Austria, calling the move unnecessary. The Frenchman has been Yamaha’s leading rider this year but has criticized the team’s lack of progress with its V4 bike, which has failed to deliver significant improvements since its debut.
Yamaha’s refusal to allow Quartararo to test Pirelli tyres may backfire, as the team loses valuable input from one of its most experienced riders. With the V4’s development stalled, Yamaha could have benefited from Quartararo’s insights, but his refusal to cooperate further complicates the team’s path forward.
