P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Fabio Quartararo’s MotoGP future will be one of the main talking points of next year’s rider market ahead of a 2027 grid reshuffle. He’s made his desires clear, but obvious tensions between himself and Yamaha may force the latter into doing something once thought unthinkable for the good of its own long-term future…
Fabio Quartararo’s signing by Petronas SRT for the 2019 MotoGP season surprised many in 2018 due to his underwhelming previous performances in Moto2 and Moto3. Despite limited prior success, SRT management saw potential in Quartararo to excel in the right environment.
Quartararo quickly showcased his talent by achieving multiple pole positions and podium finishes in 2019 on a year-old Yamaha M1, proving his capabilities on the track.
Yamaha’s confidence in Quartararo grew, leading to his move to the factory squad in 2021, where he clinched the championship title in his debut season, ending Yamaha’s six-year drought.
However, challenges arose in 2022 as Quartararo struggled to secure victories due to the Yamaha’s lack of competitiveness against Ducati. Despite his frustrations, Yamaha secured him with a lucrative deal until 2026, rejecting Aprilia’s offer.
In retrospect, some may view Quartararo’s contract negotiations as financially driven, but his belief in his abilities and desire to compete at the highest level played a significant role in his decision-making process.
