P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Fabio Quartararo insists he is performing at his highest level in MotoGP, despite another season spent ‘defending rather than attacking’.
Fabio Quartararo believes he is riding better than ever, despite another difficult MotoGP season that left him without a grand prix victory and only ninth in the world championship. It’s now been four years since Quartararo won the MotoGP title, just one season shorter than Marc Marquez’s record drought between 2019 and 2025. Marquez’s success stalled as he battled career-threatening arm and eye injuries alongside uncompetitive Honda machinery. Quartararo has been injury-free, while remaining head and shoulders clear of the other Yamaha riders. The last time a Yamaha rider other than Quartararo stood on a MotoGP podium was Maverick Vinales at Assen in 2021. Quartararo’s decline in the world championship standings has been stark: From 1st in 2021 and 2nd in 2022 to 10th, 13th and then 9th in 2025. Despite the results, Quartararo is confident he is riding better than ever and has improved his ability to manage difficult moments on the bike.
