French rider Fabio Quartararo took to the Sepang Shakedown test for the first time in 2026 aboard his Yamaha YZR-M1, unveiling a striking new pink design on his gear. This appearance marked his return to the track following the preseason preparations ahead of the upcoming MotoGP season.
Introduction of New Pink Details During Second Day of Testing
While Quartararo did not participate in the initial day of testing, he made his debut on track for day two, showcasing pink accents prominently on his racing number, helmet, boots, and gloves. These vibrant additions contrast with the more familiar red color scheme he displayed just a week earlier in Jakarta during the Monster Energy Yamaha team launch. However, this pink styling is expected to be exclusive to testing, as Quartararo’s official race colors for 2026 are likely to differ.
Previous Testing Styles Suggest Limited Use of Pink in Racing
This is not the first time Quartararo has experimented with alternative colors during pre-season trials. In 2025, he utilized green designs during testing, which were ultimately replaced by red at the race season opener in Thailand. This pattern suggests that the pink theme seen at Sepang may serve as a temporary testing livery rather than a permanent change for race days.
Quartararo’s Future MotoGP Plans Revealed
Just one day prior to revealing his new look, reports from Motorsport.com indicated that Quartararo has decided to switch teams after 2026, moving from Yamaha to Honda. He has been with Yamaha since his debut in the premier class in 2019, making this a significant change in his career trajectory.
Yamaha Team Activity at the Sepang Shakedown
Quartararo was joined on Friday by his Yamaha teammates, including Alex Rins and Jack Miller, who made their first appearances of the Shakedown test. Meanwhile, only test rider Augusto Fernandez and rookie Toprak Razgatlioglu took part in Thursday’s running. This sequence reflects the team’s phased approach to preseason preparations.
Upcoming Test Schedule at Sepang
The Shakedown event at Sepang is scheduled to conclude on January 31, setting the stage for the first official pre-season test from February 3 to 5. These sessions will be critical for riders and teams alike to finalize setups and strategies ahead of the 2026 MotoGP season.
