Despite rumors about a possible move to Honda in 2027, Neil Hodgson has emphasized the importance of Fabio Quartararo maintaining professionalism with Yamaha throughout the 2026 MotoGP season. The year began with the Thai Grand Prix on February 27 at the Buriram International Circuit, where Quartararo returned to competition riding the Yamaha M1.
This season, Yamaha introduced a significant modification by replacing their traditional inline four-cylinder engine with a new V4 configuration, a change reportedly made at Quartararo’s request. However, the updated engine has not visibly improved Yamaha’s performance when compared to their 2025 form, and Quartararo’s discouraged demeanor after track sessions reflects ongoing frustrations.
Pressure on Quartararo to Prioritize His Professional Conduct
During the 2024 season, Fabio Quartararo committed to a two-year contract extension with Yamaha covering 2025 and 2026, a deal that stirred debate given Yamaha’s underwhelming results. Reports indicate that Quartararo plans to depart from Yamaha at the conclusion of 2026, having secured a two-year contract with Honda.
Speaking during Free Practice One coverage on TNT Sports, former rider Neil Hodgson stressed that Quartararo must remain focused and deliver his best for Yamaha despite looming changes.
“He has to reset his goals; he knew when he re-signed with Yamaha that there was always a risk. He pushed for them to develop a new V4, which they have done. This is all part of his job; knowing that he will be leaving at the end of the season does not help. But he is paid very well, he has to be a professional, he has to keep focused, he has to keep his head down, and he has to do the best job for his employer.”
?Neil Hodgson, Former Motorcycle Racer and Commentator
Challenges Persist as Yamaha Struggles to Qualify for Q2
The first official practice sessions at Buriram illustrated continued difficulties for Yamaha riders, as none secured an automatic position in Q2 during Friday’s qualifying. The top ten fastest riders from the afternoon session advanced directly, but all four Yamaha competitors were outside this threshold.
Fabio Quartararo led Yamaha’s group in 16th place, followed by his factory teammate Alex Rins at 20th. Riders from Pramac Yamaha, Jack Miller and Toprak Razgatlioglu, finished 19th and 21st, respectively. These performances aligned with Yamaha’s struggles in the pre-season tests at both Sepang and Buriram, where the team failed to find competitive pace.
Outlook for Quartararo and Yamaha in the Upcoming Season
The ongoing challenges for Yamaha and Quartararo suggest a difficult path ahead as they attempt to improve results this season. Hodgson’s call for professionalism highlights the importance of maintaining focus despite off-track distractions. How Quartararo navigates these final months with Yamaha could influence both his legacy and his transition to a new team.
With Yamaha yet to demonstrate significant progress from their new engine design, the team’s performance in the upcoming races will be crucial. Meanwhile, fans and analysts will watch closely to see if Quartararo channels his frustration into strong on-track results as the 2026 season progresses.
