Fabio Quartararo will leave the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team at the end of the 2026 season.
What happened?
Yamaha has confirmed Jorge Martín and Ai Ogura as the new factory riders for the 2027 and 2028 MotoGP seasons.
Why it matters for Fabio Quartararo
This move marks a complete reset for Yamaha's factory team, with Quartararo and Álex Rins departing.
Martín and Ogura are leaving Aprilia to join Yamaha, a bold move considering Aprilia's current form.
What comes next?
The 2027 season will see significant technical changes, offering Yamaha a chance to close the gap with other manufacturers.
Yamaha needs Martín to drive the project forward from day one, given his title-level experience and speed.
Ogura's recent performances have shifted the conversation around him from promising prospect to genuine front-running threat.
His Dutch TT victory at Assen was a landmark moment, showcasing his ability to beat proven winners.
Yamaha has signed both riders for two seasons, aligning with the major regulation change set to reshape the category from 2027.
The question remains whether Yamaha can provide Martín and Ogura with the tools to justify their move.
Martín's appeal is obvious, with factory status and a central role in Yamaha's MotoGP rebuild.
Ogura's move carries different weight, with Yamaha hoping to have secured him before his value rises further.
Together, Martín and Ogura give Yamaha two complementary profiles: an established championship-level operator and a fast-rising talent.
Yamaha's rebuild will be fascinating to watch, especially with the 2027 technical reset offering a rare opportunity for struggling manufacturers to close the gap.