Honda has reached an agreement to bring Fabio Quartararo onto its factory MotoGP team for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, marking a significant change for the championship’s future lineup. The 26-year-old French rider, who made his debut with Yamaha in 2019 and won the world championship in 2021, will finish his time with Yamaha in 2026 before making the switch.
Performance Challenges and Contract Background
During his Yamaha tenure, Quartararo achieved 11 victories, 32 podium finishes, and secured 21 pole positions. However, recent struggles with form, partly due to upcoming changes to 850cc engine regulations, have influenced his decision to leave despite Yamaha’s recent contract renewal aimed at supporting the team’s resurgence.
Quartararo’s Relationship with Yamaha Leadership
The rider has expressed dissatisfaction with Yamaha’s current management setup, highlighting limited communication with the team principal.
“I don’t speak much with Paolo. The people I’m interested in are the ones in the garage. I speak more with the engineers than with him.”
?Fabio Quartararo, Rider
Honda’s Plans for Future Teammates
This signing opens the 2027 rider market, as Honda considers potential teammates for Quartararo. Current riders Joan Mir and Luca Marini, whose contracts expire in 2026, are among the candidates, along with promising newcomers such as Pedro Acosta and Jorge Martin.
Awaiting Official Confirmation
Honda has yet to provide an official statement regarding the deal, but the announcement signals a notable shift in MotoGP’s competitive landscape heading into the next decade.
