Fabio Quartararo has openly acknowledged growing tension in his relationship with Yamaha due to his dissatisfaction with the progress of their MotoGP bike for the 2025 season. After claiming the world championship with Yamaha in 2021, the French rider has struggled with underperforming machinery, resulting in his falling back in the standings.
Yamaha convinced Quartararo to stay by signing a new two-year contract in 2024, largely influenced by the arrival of technical director Max Bartolini. Despite some positive signs this season — including four pole positions and two podium finishes across sprints and grands prix — Quartararo has recently expressed frustration with the current state of the team’s performance.
Quartararo Questions the V4 Development Strategy Amid Ongoing Challenges
Yamaha’s future ambitions with Quartararo seem tied to the introduction of a new V4 engine, which team principal Paolo Pavesio indicated could debut as early as next year. However, at the German Grand Prix, Quartararo suggested the V4 project alone does not guarantee success for the M1 bike.
When asked about Pavesio’s optimism regarding the V4, Quartararo said,
“I don’t know what he thinks,”
and added,
“I don’t think he’s too much into the technical side of things.”
He emphasized that what really matters to him is having a competitive bike regardless of engine type, stating,
“To be honest, I don’t care if it’s the V4 or not – I just want a competitive bike next year.”
He admitted the pressure is mounting:
“Sure, it’s getting a little tense, because we’re always expecting more and more things, improvements. We can see that we don’t really have any.”
Despite receiving “pretty good feedback” on the V4, Quartararo highlighted a critical issue with lap times, saying,
“With the V4, we’re getting pretty good feedback, but the lap times are super slow. In reality, what matters to me are the lap times.”
He further remarked,
“The feeling with the bike can be good, but [lap times are more important].”
Performance at the German Grand Prix Highlights Ongoing Yamaha Struggles
During the German Grand Prix weekend, Quartararo showed moments of strength by finishing third in the wet sprint race and fourth in the main event on Sunday. However, he remained dissatisfied with the Yamaha’s performance in dry conditions, which has been a recurring problem.
This inconsistency has contributed to the tension between Quartararo and the team, creating uncertainty about his prospects for maintaining a top position in MotoGP with Yamaha heading into future seasons.
What Lies Ahead for Quartararo and Yamaha in MotoGP Competition
The growing frustration surrounding the Yamaha M1’s lack of competitive pace and the delayed impact of the V4 engine development raises questions about Quartararo’s ability to challenge for championships beyond 2025. With the Frenchman focused on lap times rather than just technical improvements, Yamaha faces pressure to deliver a bike that can meet his expectations promptly.
The outcome of this strained partnership will likely influence Yamaha’s strategy and Quartararo’s future decisions in MotoGP, as both seek to regain their winning form in a highly demanding racing environment.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. MotoGP’s highest earner, Fabio Quartararo, takes home four times less than Formula 1’s top-paid star, Max Verstappen, who earns a staggering £50m per year. F1 driver salaries: how do much Formula 1 drivers earn?
A. Who has earned the most money as a MotoGP rider ever?
Q. What happened with Fabio Quartararo?
A. Quartararo’s left shoulder slammed onto the ground, causing him to slide into the gravel with his bike. As the 2021 world champion lay there for some time, he held his injured shoulder, which was dislocated. His shoulder was then put back into place right there.
Q. What happened to Fabio Quartararo?
A. Fabio Quartararo, a Yamaha rider, mentioned he faced vibration problems at the MotoGP Aragon Grand Prix, leading to his crash from 10th place. In the prior three events, he secured pole position and contended for podium spots in two of them. However, the 2021 world champion didn’t do well during the Aragon race weekend.
