Fabio Quartararo will always be grateful to Yamaha, despite growing frustration over the performance of its V4 project, which has yielded just four grand prix podiums since the start of 2023.
The Frenchman has been a Yamaha rider for his entire MotoGP career, proving instantly competitive on his debut with the satellite Petronas SRT team in 2019.
## What happened?
Quartararo took his first MotoGP wins the following year, then replaced Valentino Rossi at the factory team for 2021, where he achieved instant title success.
However, victories dried up during the second half of 2022, and Quartararo has managed just four grand prix podiums since the start of 2023.
Expectations were high when Yamaha announced its new V4-powered machine, which Quartararo tried for the first time in September last year.
## Why it matters for Fabio Quartararo
Quartararo has been openly frustrated at the lack of progress and is understood to have signed a 2027 deal with Honda before the start of this season.
The Frenchman gave a long list of the bike’s deficiencies: “The grip. And then we have the turning, the top speed, acceleration, aerodynamics…”
Quartararo added that he hadn’t seen a “reaction” from Yamaha, citing their preparation for an 850cc bike for next year.
## What comes next?
Given the bleak scenario, Quartararo was asked if this season could ‘ruin’ the end of the Quartararo-Yamaha story.
Quartararo replied, “Well, at the end, already the last years were a bit like that,” and expressed his gratitude to Yamaha for what they have done.
Most of the 2027 MotoGP rider contracts are still to be officially announced, but Quartararo’s Yamaha seat is set to be taken by another former champion, Jorge Martin.
Quartararo went on to finish the Hungarian weekend without any points, retiring from the grand prix after being given two long lap penalties for straight-line chicanes as he battled rear grip issues, on June 2024.