Quartararo Stays Loyal to Yamaha Amid Challenges: Believes in Comeback with Revolutionary Team Changes

Fabio Quartararo: "Departing while still having faith would be a mistake"

Fabio Quartararo: "My confidence in Yamaha and in my own abilities is strong, and I'm convinced we'll make a comeback."

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Fabio Quartararo acknowledges that choosing to stay with Yamaha was a challenging decision, yet the team's revamped approach since January has kept his faith in the project intact.

Since joining the MotoGP circuit in 2019 with the Petronas team, Quartararo has been with Yamaha, achieving three victories for the satellite team in 2020 and then securing the world championship with the factory team the subsequent year.

Yet, both he and the M1 have not secured a victory since the summer of 2022, causing a drop in his world championship rankings from first place in 2021, to second in 2022, and subsequently to tenth in 2023.

"Choosing to stay on with Yamaha was a tough call for me, but I feel departing while still having faith in the initiative would be a mistake," Quartararo explained to MotoGP.com. "My confidence in Yamaha is strong, as is my confidence in my abilities, and I'm convinced we will make a comeback.

"Clarifying my future was crucial to me, and the choice I made stemmed directly from our work dynamics from January until the present."

"In the past two years, this is a change I haven't witnessed before, signifying a transformative shift within the team."

"I'm genuinely pleased that the introduction of new engineers, including those from Japan, has completely transformed our work approach. Their current assertive attitude, I believe, will significantly accelerate our progress."

Among the latest additions to Yamaha, the recruitment of Max Bartolini as the new technical director from Ducati stands out as the most crucial move for Quartararo.

"Quartararo acknowledged that Max's arrival at Yamaha wasn't the sole factor for his decision to remain with the brand, but he did emphasize that Max was a significant addition to the team."

"In my initial encounter with him, it spanned over three hours during which I posed as many questions as possible. It was evident from our conversation how knowledgeable Max is."

Upon arriving for the initial test, numerous Ducati staff inform you that a highly significant engineer has been assigned to you, emphasizing his remarkable work ethic.

"Additionally, I believe he's aiming for victory under a new banner, while my goal is to return to triumph with Yamaha. Hence, the ambition we share within the team is significantly elevated."

"My background in MotoGP primarily revolves around Yamaha. However, it's beneficial to welcome individuals from different manufacturers to share insights on their operations."

"In my opinion, the team is currently performing well, yet we lack certain elements to compete for higher rankings."

Following five races, Quartararo currently sits twelfth in the global standings, holding 25 points which is over twice as many as the leading rider on a Japanese motorcycle, the previous title-holder Joan Mir (Repsol Honda).

Despite finishing third in a tumultuous Jerez Sprint, only to be penalized for tyre pressure issues, Quartararo admits that Yamaha's luck won't change overnight.

"He mentioned that their current approach isn't primarily results-oriented but rather centers on improving the motorcycle's design. This strategy aims to enhance the bike's performance for the latter part of the season and, more importantly, for the upcoming year."

"Frankly, this year will be challenging. I anticipate it will be difficult to compete for numerous wins or podium finishes, especially after spending three to four years with the same setup and then completely overhauling the motorcycle."

"There's still a learning process for us, and I personally need to continue developing my skills on the motorcycle. As various aspects evolve, we must be flexible and adapt to the fresh mindset, the updated motorcycle, and the new configurations."

"However, I'm aware that their current efforts are aimed at increasing speed in the coming years."

"They have faith in me to help the project expand and achieve success once more. We accomplished this several years ago, so I believe it's possible to replicate our success."

The identity of Quartararo's teammate for the 2025 season, presently Alex Rins, along with details regarding a proposed satellite team, remains unannounced.

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