Fabio Quartararo told reporters he will always be grateful to Yamaha even as the Frenchman's stint with the Japanese factory draws to a close. The rider, who has spent his entire MotoGP career with Yamaha, voiced frustration over the new V4‑powered bike that debuted in September 2025, saying the machine has shown little progress.
Quartararo, a 2021 world champion, has seen his podium tally shrink to four since the start of 2023 after a dominant early period. He listed the bike’s shortcomings—insufficient grip, poor turning, limited top speed, weak acceleration and aerodynamic issues—and noted Yamaha has offered no clear response, citing the need to develop an 850 cc model for next year. The rider is understood to have signed a 2027 contract with Honda, effectively ending his Yamaha chapter.
The Hungarian Grand Prix marked a quiet finish for Quartararo at Yamaha: he retired after two penalties for straight‑line chicane violations and struggled with rear‑grip problems, scoring no points. His seat will be taken by former champion Jorge Martin, while Quartararo prepares for his upcoming Honda role.
