Fabio Quartararo, the 2021 MotoGP World Champion, has officially confirmed his departure from Yamaha at the end of 2026. He will join Japanese rivals Honda HRC.
What happened?
The 27-year-old Frenchman has been with Yamaha since 2019, bringing home one world title and accumulating 11 race wins, 32 podiums, and 21 pole positions.
He burst onto the scene in 2019, immediately challenging for race wins and titles. Over the years, Quartararo has been one of the strongest riders of the current generation.
Why it matters for Fabio Quartararo
The relationship between Quartararo and Yamaha has deteriorated over the years, correlating with Yamaha's drop in performances. Recent years have been marked by images of Quartararo frustrated, punching out at the air or swearing at his bike.
His teammate, Alex Rins, along with satellite riders Jack Miller and Toprak Razgatlioglu, have regularly found themselves at the back-end of the field this year. Nonetheless, Quartararo has continued to be outstanding, often managing to salvage points or qualify higher than seemed possible.
What comes next?
The new 850cc regulations set to take effect from 2027 onwards will seemingly flip the table over, allowing any one of the five factory manufacturers to become the benchmark of a new era. Many are predicting that Honda will make huge steps forward under the new regulations, as they typically have done in the past.
Following the finalization of a recent 'concorde agreement' with MotoGP management, the flood gates have now opened for a wave of transfer announcements. First, it was confirmed that Marc Marquez will extend his Ducati contract and be joined by Pedro Acosta next season.
Now, with Quartararo leaving Yamaha along with teammate and race-winner Alex Rins, it is expected that Jorge Martin and Ai Ogura will take their place next season. The 2026 'silly season' has already been one of the craziest in recent memory, with the majority of riders out of a long-term contract at the start of the year.
Rumours had been circulating for months about potential moves in the jigsaw puzzle that will eventually give a very different complexion to the grid in 2027. Quartararo's move might not seem like a massive upgrade on paper, but the new regulations will likely shake up the competition.
Quartararo has continued to perform exceptionally well, despite Yamaha's struggles. His heartbreaking 2025 retirement at Silverstone was a memorable moment, showcasing his frustration with the bike. The Frenchman will look to start fresh with Honda HRC in 2027.
The transfer announcements will continue to roll in, with Pecco Bagnaia set to join Marco Bezzecchi at Aprilia. The rider market chaos in 2026 will lead to a very different grid in 2027, with many top riders switching teams.
Fabio Quartararo's decision to leave Yamaha and join Honda HRC will be closely watched, as he looks to compete for another world title under the new regulations. His performance in 2027 will be crucial in determining the success of his move to Honda HRC.