Over the past seven years, Yamaha’s inability to establish dominance in MotoGP with one of the sport’s top talents will likely be remembered as a significant shortcoming. The manufacturer had a stroke of luck bringing Fabio Quartararo into their fold. When Quartararo debuted in Moto3 in 2015, excitement surrounded him, but by the start of the 2018 Moto2 season, his prospects for MotoGP success seemed distant.
The Petronas SRT team, which debuted Quartararo in MotoGP in 2019, recognized his world-class potential and provided the supportive environment needed to nurture his talent. After a strong pre-season, he quickly emerged as a promising Yamaha hope. That year, he claimed seven podiums but narrowly missed wins in San Marino and Thailand. In 2020, he notched his first three victories, but Yamaha’s inconsistent M1 bike caused his championship challenge to collapse late in the season, foreshadowing struggles ahead for the Yamaha-Quartararo partnership.
Everything clicked in 2021 when Quartararo secured his first world championship, marking Yamaha’s first title since Jorge Lorenzo’s 2015 win. Although the anticipated rivalry with Marc Marquez never materialized due to Marquez’s 2020 injury, Quartararo’s success validated Petronas SRT’s faith in him and justified Yamaha’s decision to replace Valentino Rossi with the young Frenchman. Even then, Quartararo clearly outperformed his Yamaha teammates.
However, Yamaha’s hoped-for resurgence quickly unraveled. Despite winning three races in 2022, the M1’s declining competitiveness became apparent as Ducati’s machines dominated. Quartararo lost the championship to Pecco Bagnaia, who made a remarkable comeback to clinch the title after trailing by 91 points mid-season. Since then, Yamaha has not won a single Grand Prix.
In 2023, Quartararo achieved three podiums and finished 10th overall. The following year was even harsher, with Yamaha hitting a low point. Quartararo secured six pole positions and finished the season ninth with 201 points—outscoring the rest of Yamaha’s riders combined. By late last year, he was pressing Yamaha to improve its bikes to keep him beyond 2027. Yamaha has since invested heavily in developing a V4 engine alongside their 2027 850cc project, aiming to reclaim competitiveness. Yet, by the end of the year, it was clear that the V4 engine was not convincing Quartararo.
Reports surfaced before the Sepang test that Quartararo had signed with Honda for next season, though he denied finalizing any deal, acknowledging only that Honda was among his options. At Yamaha’s recent season launch, talks of contract renewal appeared absent. Yamaha’s coach, Paolo Pavecio, expressed hope for continued collaboration but acknowledged uncertainty and the reality of rider-market competition.
Quartararo’s comments have grown increasingly impatient, centered on the need for a “win-now” bike—a promise the new V4-powered M1 has yet to deliver. In early testing, he suffered a finger injury and electrical problems with the bike. Yamaha admitted to a mysterious electrical issue they haven’t figured out how to fix, prompting a pause in testing for safety reasons. This setback adds to concerns over the V4’s underperformance, especially given that its speed figures lag significantly behind competitors like KTM.
While Yamaha struggles with engine power and reliability, Honda’s recent testing performance has been promising. Joan Mir praised the 2026 RC213V for its improved feel, and HRC test rider Aleix Espargaro called it the best MotoGP bike he’s ever ridden. Although these observations require validation over the early races, Honda’s upward momentum contrasts sharply with Yamaha’s difficulties. Meanwhile, rider rumors swirl, with Jorge Martín linked to both Yamaha and Honda amid his own contract negotiations.
This year is a challenging growth period for Yamaha as they develop their first modern V4 engine. They never expected immediate success, but to retain Quartararo for 2027, producing a competitive bike this winter was essential. So far, the Yamaha bike’s shortcomings seem to justify Quartararo’s reported move to Honda.
Fan Take: This saga matters deeply to MotoGP fans because the battle for supremacy hinges on top riders paired with winning machinery. Quartararo’s potential switch from Yamaha to Honda could reshape team dynamics and ignite a fresh rivalry, signaling an exciting new chapter in the sport’s evolving landscape.
