As the MotoGP riders’ market heats up earlier each year with an eye toward the 2027 season, Fabio Quartararo faces a crucial decision in the coming months: whether to renew his contract with Yamaha or explore opportunities with other manufacturers who might offer less money but more competitive assurances. This choice marks a pivotal moment in Quartararo’s career, as he weighs loyalty against his ambitions to remain a front-runner in the championship.
Quartararo’s Loyalty and Rise with Yamaha
Fabio Quartararo’s loyalty to Yamaha is well-documented, as the manufacturer gave him his initial MotoGP break back in 2019. Though he had shown early promise as a two-time Spanish championship winner in 2013 and 2014, his early Moto3 years were marked by uneven results. However, upon joining the Yamaha M1, Quartararo quickly regained his competitive edge, earning comparisons to Marc Marquez. Now a key figure in Yamaha’s factory program since 2021, he succeeded the legendary Valentino Rossi and secured a world championship title in that very season.
The Challenge of a Contract Renewal During Yamaha’s Rebuild
Quartararo has already extended his commitment with Yamaha twice, in 2022 and again in 2024, prompting the company to push for a third renewal that could see him ride for Yamaha for a total of eight years. Still, the contract talks come at a difficult time for both parties. Yamaha is deep into developing a new V4 engine aimed at closing the performance gap, but it remains unproven. Meanwhile, Quartararo finds himself at a crossroads, uncertain if Yamaha’s promises will translate to a winning bike or if he should pursue another manufacturer offering more reliable prospects—even if with less lucrative financial terms.
Considering Alternatives: Lessons from Marc Marquez’s Move
The situation recalls Marc Marquez’s recent decision to leave Honda after his final 2024 season and join Gresini Racing, driven by his desire to test his competitiveness with a different team. Unlike Marquez, Quartararo is confident about his own talent but is motivated by the need to secure machinery capable of consistent race victories. Financially, Quartararo’s earnings for 2025 and 2026 are expected to approach €20 million, shaping his approach to contract negotiations distinctly from Marquez’s.
Quartararo’s Public Doubts and Contract Outlook
The French rider has expressed frustration with Yamaha’s repeated unfulfilled promises despite re-signing in 2024 to become the highest-paid MotoGP rider for the upcoming two years. He has openly criticized Yamaha’s slow progress, pointing out a lack of tangible improvements from the company’s side. His repeated remark,
If this bet doesn’t work, I won’t go to a project. I’ll go to a bike that from the start lets me fight for wins,
—Fabio Quartararo emphasizes his demand for a competitive bike immediately rather than a vague promise of development.
Frustration Over Yamaha’s Delays With the V4 Engine
Despite Yamaha’s ongoing investment in new technology, the new V4 engine is still not running at full capacity, limiting testing opportunities for the factory riders. Yamaha test rider Augusto Fernandez confirmed at Brno that
the Japanese [engineers] don’t want to push it yet,
underscoring the cautious and slow approach that adds uncertainty to Quartararo’s decision-making process.
Implications of an Early Active Riders’ Market for 2027
With many riders searching for new contracts ahead of the 2027 season—including talents like Pedro Acosta and Jorge Martin—manufacturers are already preparing pre-agreements to lock in top performers. Quartararo, as one of MotoGP’s brightest stars, faces intensified pressure to make the right move now as opportunities may tighten quickly. His last victory came in 2022, followed by a season without podium finishes, a drought he is eager to end.
The Stakes for Yamaha and Quartararo Moving Forward
For Yamaha, retaining Quartararo requires offering clear, undeniable signs of competitiveness, possibly through delivering a fully developed V4 engine or other meaningful upgrades. For Quartararo, the decision to either continue trusting Yamaha’s vision or to seek greener pastures elsewhere will likely define his career trajectory. With only months to decide and no guarantee that Yamaha will have strong results by then, this contract saga remains one of MotoGP’s most closely watched narratives.
