P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Yamaha “up against it” to retain Fabio Quartararo amid tempting alternatives
Yamaha has been warned that Fabio Quartararo might seek other opportunities in the rider market if their project doesn’t show significant improvement soon. Quartararo’s impressive record of four pole positions reflects Yamaha’s progress, but his bike has not consistently enabled him to compete for grand prix wins. His contract, reportedly the most lucrative in the sport, expires in 2026, putting pressure on Yamaha to convince him to stay. Questions have arisen regarding Quartararo possibly seeking a Marc Marquez-like situation, where he eschews waiting for titles and seeks success elsewhere. If Yamaha fails to demonstrate a winning project, Quartararo may consider alternative options as tempting new opportunities emerge ahead of the 2027 season when new MotoGP rules will be in effect.
