P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The factors behind Quartararo’s Yamaha MotoGP renewal
Before deciding to extend his contract with Yamaha, Fabio Quartararo had to weigh the options of seeking immediate competitiveness or considering a more lucrative long-term path. Due to Yamaha’s lack of progress, it will be challenging for Quartararo to return to his winning form before his new contract expires, making him the highest-earning rider in MotoGP. The decline in performance of Quartararo’s Yamaha since winning the title in 2021 mirrors a similar trend seen in another Japanese manufacturer in the championship. While Marc Marquez opted to leave Honda and join a satellite team in pursuit of competitiveness, Quartararo decided to stay with Yamaha despite its current limitations. With Quartararo’s commitment to a new contract until 2026, he faces the challenge of riding an uncompetitive bike in the foreseeable future. Despite Yamaha’s efforts to improve with a new technical director, the gap between their bikes and the competition remains substantial.
